The Next Best Thing: A Novel

If you've never read Jennifer Weiner before, then start with Good In Bed. For Weiner fans The Next Best Thing is an informative saunter through the glitz, glam and gross extravagance of the television industry.

The author does so well with the daily injustices thrust on over-weight women, but her portrayal of one with a disfigured face, with a hot body (of which Weiner is excessively enamored) was off and even grating.

Still, 
Jennifer Weiner delivers her normal humorous and evocative fare, even with the trite, predictable, pat ending that you generally only see in, well, television sit-coms.

Jennifer Weiner has a great sense of humor and it's as good as ever in The Next Best Thing. One reviewer mentioned that there was a lot of whining. Maybe so, but it's funny whining. Although it's a lighthearted story, it puts the Hollywood culture of shallow beauty into perspective, while emphasizing the importance of inner resources and heart. Some of the obstacles Ruthie (the main character) had to surmount became a bit tedious in places, but I found myself rooting for her and had a hard time putting the book down.

Except for the surprise ending (which in hindsight was fully in line with the deus ex machina approach of this author), I couldn't find much to like about this book. I'm all for an author rooting for her main character, but when the narrative is so clearly partial to the heroine, the readers find it hard to sympathize with that character (why even bother when the author goes out of her way to accommodate her), and even more so when the heroine is so whiny, mean-spirited (all the while rationalizing her own bigotry), and a borderline stalker.

As for the narration, I found it tolerable but not very credible: the narrator often lapses into the very same question intonation for statements that the heroine criticizes in others.

Have to admit I didn't finish listening to the book. Got about half through before I decided to move on. Didn't find the story particularly interesting and the reader ....well she sounded as if she was reading.

Olivia Thirbly was a great voice for the main character, Ruthie. She didn't overact or ham it up, like many tend to do. She kind of gave it to us straight, in a good way. Her voice made me sympathize with the character without feeling sorry for her or pitying her.

This is definitely a summer, chick-lit book, but with substance. The usual non-sense, reality suspending scenarios that you usually find in a chick-lit book are missing here and thank goodness!

We get an insiders look into making it in Hollywood, getting a tv show produced and being a writer. The characters were well written and had believable relationships. The dialogue felt real--this is how real people talk and express themselves.
Would definitely recommend.

That is was different and unique story, interesting subject the TV industry

Her voice was was irritating to me. I think this makes a better read than an audible book

Everytime I pick up or listen to a new Jennifer Weiner title, I think I look for Candy Shaprio. Ruthie was no Candy. As the key character of this novel, Ruthie is certainly likable as is her grandmother. It felt like there were autobiographical elements here, and maybe even a treatise on the TV show production business -- and while interesting to learn how TV shows are put together, I just never found myself able to fully embrace Ruthie or her story as I have other Jennifer Weiner titles. If you are a die hard Weiner fan, you have no choice but to read The Next Best Thing -- and you will likely find something to enjoy, but if you are a Weiner newbie ... I cannot completely recommend The Next Best Thing.

Its a nice light read. Characters you care about. Not too deep. How a TV show is made was interesting.

Anytime Ruthie's Grandmother was around.

Great narration. Voice matched lead character well.

You felt for Ruthie's idealism.

Summer Beach type of read.

I really enjoyed the storyline, and it has changed the way I watch TV, thinking about all that went into the prodcution process. The narration- just ok.

Story is great and the narrator was perfect as Ruth Saunders. I wish she would narrate more books!! I have always loved Jennifer Weinner every since good in bed.
I will definately pick another one of hers next!! Funny engaging and well worth the time.

No I don't think she has any others.