Reading and book signing at Books & Books @The Studios
New York Times best-selling author Jami Attenberg’s book “All Grown Up” is hitting the book shelves this March and Key West is lucky to hear and meet the author first. Attenberg will be reading and signing her latest novel at Books & Books @The Studios Thursday, March 16 at 6 p.m.
“All Grown Up” is an exploration into being single in your 30s and turning 40. Andrea Bern is a New York Jewish working girl barreling into her 40s without a seat belt or a plan. Nowadays, women will find more in common with characters like Andrea, who follow the notion that someday it will all work out instead of actually forcing it too. Andrea drinks too much, is promiscuous, meets the wrong men, doesn’t really care about her job, still needs her mom and, ironically, is disappointed when her friends and family move on. Pragmatically, she walked away from her passion for art for a paycheck and hates reflecting on her past. But when forced to, her memories reveal why it’s hard to maintain close relationships. Growing up with a lying drug-addled father and surrounded by her mother’s “handsy” male friends, no wonder she is un-charmed by relationships in general.
“She’s single and independent and child-free and her desires and dreams don’t necessarily match up with the conventional expectations of a female character – or a real-life woman, for that matter,” said Attenberg. “She has no fantasy of getting married or starting a family – that’s just not where her head is at. She’s striving simply to make and strengthen connections with the people around her, her friends, her family, her co-workers.”
The book is witty, sharp and relatable for many of Andrea Bern’s generation: those who look for love in all the wrong places, seek happiness, and realize everyone else is trying to do the same. It is a reflection on the journey of growing up rather than actually being grown-up.
“I fell in love with Jami Attenberg’s earlier novel, ‘The Middlesteins,’” said author Judy Blume, “and her latest,‘All Grown Up,’ is funny, smart and tender, which makes me love her even more. I can’t wait to finally meet her in person at Books & Books!”
Jami Attenberg is the New York Times best-selling author of five novels, including ‘The Middlesteins’ and ‘Saint Mazie.’
Jami Attenberg reading and signing at Books & Books @The Studios
533 Eaton St., Key West on March 16, 6 p.m.
