Party Girl

A Novel

By: Anna David

Narrated by: Anna David

Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's Summary

Celebrity journalist Amelia Stone is the quintessential Hollywood party girl: She stays out late, rubs shoulders (and occasionally more) with celebrities, and ingests copious amounts of cocaine.

But after losing her job, her friends, and much of her mind, Amelia makes the drastic decision to end her drug abuse. Once sober, she's hired by a big-name magazine to write a column detailing her wild adventures, and she starts seeing the man who could be her Mr. Right.

There's just one problem. Overnight, Amelia has become the new face of Hollywood nightlife, and her editors - who don't know she's come clean - want her to play the part. As the lure of her former fast-and-furious lifestyle begins to pull at her, she must decide whether to save herself or salvage her reputation as the ultimate party girl.

©2007 HarperCollins (P)2007 Anna David

Empowering and compelling!

I had enormous respect for Anna David before I listened to her memoir Party Girl. Now, I have even more. This book takes us up to mid-life and all that comes before it, including adolescence, college years, with many feelings about men woven throughout each stage, a whole lot of wit (for you, the reader), big time sizing people up in the most astute way (she could teach a course on this), then a road to her discovery of recovery! Her Hollywood stories are interesting and she talks like she is rambling on but in a good way it becomes mesmerizing (perfect to listen to when getting ready in the morning or on a walk). Her credibility stems, in part, from her willingness to make her misjudgments and failings an integral part of the story she tells. Real, raw and pure Hollywood lifestyle!

Wonderful Story of Recovery

So much here! I couldn't stop once I started and was so pleased with the journey I was taken on.

Insight and Introspection Done Masterfully

The first paragraph hooked me...

...but that was in the ebook.

I read through 12-chapters and didn't want to stop, but I had to, because trying to read while getting my Fitbit steps just wasn't working for me.

Still, I couldn't wait to continue the next day. The story's main character, Amelia, who was out of control and a mess in the most delightful of ways was headed for disaster.

I didn't want her to crash and burn, but it had to happen.

Now, in my second day with this book and torn between sitting on my comfy couch and reading the rest of the day, or going on one of my daily walks to continue with my new healthy lifestyle, I decided to see if there was an audio book version.

Viola!

And it's narrated by the author.

She's a remarkably talented speaker, so I assumed she'd be good at reading her own book. I was right.

This wasn't the only thing, Audible gets high marks for knowing exactly where I left off on my reading, because the audio book started at that spot. Well done Amazon & Audible.

I digress.

Fun as the story was before her fall, it's the rest of the book that draws you in for the sort of realizations that stick with a person. We all know someone who's had issues with drugs or alcohol. She helped me better understand the thoughts that race through the recovering addicts mind.

It isn't just withdrawal.

It's everything else.

But on the other side, there's a whole new world. Listening along as Amelia found her footing and eventually a life she wanted, was such joy.

It wasn't always easy for her. There are certainly bumps along the way, but it's how she worked through them that left its impression.

This is one of two books I've listened to this year (this month, actually) that are probably worth a go through once per annum. The other was Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey (also narrated by him).

Because of the title, it may seem like the target demographic is women. Maybe it was, but I'm quite sure most guys would enjoy it and quite possibly learn a few things about our own mistakes when it comes to trying to get the Party Girl.

A+

Fun and impactful at the same time

This was delight to read - like candy in a good way. At the same time, the author does a great job of being honest and showing the reader a helpful and hopeful path forward.

You need to read this book!!

I am an avid reader, usually in the health/personal development genre with occasional forays into murder/mystery type fiction, so I wasn't sure how I would feel about this book. There are some books that are just entertaining and some that are thought-provoking and profound, this is one of those rare books that manages to accomplish both of those results very well. It was such an interesting read, I found that I was actually sad when it ended. I've never partied like Party Girl before, it was so interesting to hear the perspectives and insights of the lead character, Amelia. Not just about the (appearance of) glamour, but about the internal feelings going on inside. The author did such an amazing job capturing a very genuine human experience. Amelia wasn't a one-dimensional caricature, not just all good or all bad, she was very real. Sometimes resentful, selfish, and an expert at justifying her out of control behavior, the picture is painted so well, you can almost believe her justifications right along with her. Seeing her mature in a non-linear process (no one gets magically better overnight!) with ups and downs made it feel so tangible and authentic. This book is about way more than parties, drugs, and recovery. This was a journey that you should definitely go on!

Well Written & well read

Great recovery story. I have read many. This one is spot on , fun to read and great perspective.