I Heart James Frey

So I never usually buck up the cash to buy books in hardcover. I’m too cheap or too oblivious most of the time to even be aware when an author has a new book out. And actually, it’s usually out in paperback by the time I even realize it.

I have only ever bought two hardcover books in my life, being absolutely unable to wait the 6 months until the paperback version came out. They were both James Frey books. One was ‘My Friend Leonard’ and the other is the book I am currently reading, ‘Bright Shiny Morning.’

I love James Frey. I have to regularly stop myself from getting in my car and driving to New York, knocking on his door, shooing his wife and kid out the door and saying, ‘I’m the gal for you.’

A Million Little Pieces was life-changing for me. I loved this book. I loved James Frey before Oprah loved him and continued to love him after she started hating him. I don’t care if he made the book up; it is still a masterpiece of writing to which I can only hope to someday aspire. And actually, I think way too big a deal was made out of that whole absurd fiasco. And as someone who knows a thing or two about professional scandal and going down in a blaze of glory, it endears me to James Frey all the more. I like him for standing up to the Oprah zeitgeist and standing his ground. I love him even more for writing at the beginning of Bright Shiny Morning: “Nothing in this book should be considered accurate or reliable.” Can I steal that and put it in my book? 'Cause that would really take the pressure off.

So summer is over, and I am finished reading my summer candy. It was great, but as the leaves turn, so do my interests in books. This fat little number has been sitting on my bed-side table blinking up at me since the end of May. And it is probably the worst time for me to be starting a really good book. I need to write and I need to sleep and that’s all right now. What I don’t need is to get roped into an absolutely genius book. I was hooked on Page 5 and actually have to train myself not to pick it up until before bed when all my work is done. My back hurts from hunching, my eyes are sore from twelve hours of computer glare, my wrists and knuckles are irritated from writing...yet there I am, reading, staying up late, devouring.

His characterizations are brilliance incarnate. Joe, the homeless alcoholic? I care what happens to him. Amberton Parker, the closeted homosexual movie star(who incidentally I think is a parody of Tom Cruise...?)I care what happens to him. Lashawn and Anika, Dylan and Maddie,Esperanza,winners, losers, assholes, dreamers. I care what happens to them.


I heard it described as a kindle that gets you hooked right away. And that’s it. This book is like starting a fire with one match. Luminous writing that shines throught the pages. I love his writing style, his sense of humour, his compassion, his irreverence and his realism.

Yes, James Frey. You 'da man.

And you can shine my morning any time you like.

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