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The three degrees of separation between Joe and Beautiful Girls

This weekend I had the opportunity to finally read a book which has been on my shelf for three years. It is called The Book of Joe by Jonathan Tropper and is about a guy (Joe) who leaves his hometown, writes a book about the town, town gets really angry, Joe must go home again and all kinds of events, good and not so good, mostly not so good, happen. I actually couldn't put it down I enjoyed it that much. If you get a chance read it, there is something for all of us growing up in the 80s.

One of the reasons I decided to pick up the book was because of a new dramedy (is that a word?) which premiered on ABC a few weeks ago called October Road, it is on after Grey's Anatomy (Shelly's favorite show). The show has the same premise as the book; author writes scathing hometown novel, hometown hates the book, author must return home.

When I saw the preview I immediately thought of The Book of Joe however learned the book and TV show have been created by two completely different people. The guy behind October Road is named Scott Rosenberg and actually wrote the movie Beautiful Girls with Timothy Hutton and Matt Dillon from 1996. October Road is the story of "the blowback" in his life after he had to go home after creating the movie based upon his friends. October Road is good mostly because of Laura Prepon, Donna from That '70s Show, and Bryan Greenberg from a movie a few years ago with Uma Thurman and Meryl Streep called Prime .

For now I like it, don't know how long it will be around, but I will watch until they bring back Men In Trees.

Comments

Karen said…
Going to the library today, thanks for the tip! This is the second time I've heard this book mentioned in the last few days, probably b/c of the show, which I will not watch until it comes out on dvd. Keep me posted, though. I've got nothing until season 3 of Gray's Anatomy comes out.

Carey, wasn't Beautiful Girls one of your all-time faves??
11:09 AM
bobbione8y said…
yes! carey and beautiful girls! i remember that as well...

i want to get this book too, susan, and i also liked men in trees...

ah. it's 'book out on the back porch' season. well, soon anyway...
3:52 PM
Karen said…
Sue--I'm anxiously awaiting soccer practice tonight so I can hide out in the car and dig into Joe for an hour and a half...also, just got the email that Atrocious Lies is waiting for me at the library...thanks for the tips.
5:49 PM
Chris said…
I've been watching October Road too, and I love it! I especially like the dude from Prime:) I may look into getting that book as soon as I am done reading Marley. Thank you for sharing.
9:46 PM
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