Title:The Debt & The Doormat
Author: Laura Barnard
The Debt & The Doormat is a number one selling book on Amazon. It’s fun, flirty chick lit with glowing reviews about how hilarious it is.
I believe them.
But in the words of one of my co-workers, “Andi doesn’t like fun.” Apparently it’s true because my socially awkward self had the hardest time relating to the mentalities of the people in the book. On top of not being able to relate, I didn’t laugh, because what I did relate to just makes me tired. I have a lot of debt (students loans), I lead what some might find a boring life (like Poppy). My debt exhausts me and my boring calms me.
I see how it would be funny to other people. I can see this being one of those films starring Keira Knightly and/or Cameron Diaz, in an American version, and me not having any desire to go see it at all whatsoever. It’s There’s Something About Mary funny. It’s Adam Sandler funny. It’s Sex in the City funny. It is not Jane Austen funny. It is not Paul Collins funny.
Me not getting into it is not Laura Barnard’s fault. I can think of a dozen people I’d love to share this book with, because I know they will think it’s the best thing ever. Once I pass the book along, I will even invite them to share their thoughts as a guest blogger here on my blog.
The cover art is spunky, the premise is very Freaky Friday meets Sex in the City, and the writing itself is good. Try as I might, I’m just not that girl. Instead, I spent the better part of a week trying to get into Poppy and Jazz’s story, only to find myself distracted by a biography calling my name on the shelf, or a football game on television. I was almost head over heels involved in the story when the Texans were losing and I found Poppy tied to a bed by a British Thelma (of Thelma & Louise)… but then, of course, the Texans started scoring touchdowns.
Let me be clear, this is not a bad review. Please do not walk away from this post thinking, “I’ll never read that.” I’d say if the cover calls you, you SHOULD read it. If this is your genre, it’s probably one of the best in it. This is more of a testament to me and my reading habits and how much of a typical girl I am not. I will probably recommend this book to customers seeking Laura Giffin and Sophie Kinsella books. If you are a die hard McLaughlin & Kraus (The Nanny Diaries) fan, you will probably want to purchase this book STAT.
