Book Review - Natasha Sizlo's All Signs Point to Paris

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of Natasha Sizlo’s memoir, All Signs Point to Paris.

Natasha Sizlo wants to find love. The forty-something divorced mother has recently disengaged from a steamy, yet tortured, off-again/on-again romance with a man who was not ready to commit, leaving Sizlo heart-broken. Two events align to send her to Paris. The first is the death of her beloved father, whom on his death bed, told his two daughters that his spirit would meet them in Paris. The second, is a psychic, who tells Sizlo that her soul mate is a man who was born in Paris on November 2, 1968.

Sizlo decides to take a chance both on love and on a psychic’s correct prediction, by not only planning a trip to Paris, but also putting herself on social media and dating sites, seeking men with those specific attributes. In Paris, with the help of her sister and a few friends, she dates several men and makes connections throughout the city. Sizlo discovers that although she may have trouble finding a romantic partner, her life does not lack for love and that it takes a community of people to fulfill ones needs.

I loved All Signs Point to Paris. At first, I was skeptical. I don’t believe in psychics, but the Sizlo does not force that belief on her readers. In fact, I think she is taking it with a grain of salt too. She is serious about the endeavor, but more with a “what do I have to lose, let’s take a chance,” type of attitude. The memoir is about the discoveries she makes regarding her relationship with her sister and friends and learning to love her life that already exists. At the end of the book, she has a lovely and very adult conversation with her former boyfriend, that I think everyone wishes they could have when finding closure with a relationship. A conversation to tie-up loose ends, but also honor that there was once love and something good, even if it is time to more forward.

The book is filled with all things Paris: the foods, the sights, the smells…a sensory delight. I’ve never been to Paris, but I felt like I was on the trip with Sizlo. I loved how so many locals took up her cause and engaged with her, especially an evening when women who were following her on social media met for drinks. Sizlo shares her experience in such a warm and open way, that she connects with strangers at every turn.

The flip side to this is in her efforts to connect with the French, she disengages with her sister and friends. Towards the end of the trip, Sizlo’s sister, who has been supportive, expresses her sadness at missing out on bonding time. As you might expect from a good story arc, even in non-fiction, Sizlo has a wake-up call and turns her attention to her sibling.

Sizlo is fabulous and I loved following her search for love in Paris. She has a fantastic Instagram page with pictures from the trip. I still don’t believe in psychics, but I do believe in following your heart and taking chances for love.

One final note, there is some fun bits for fans of Emily in Paris!

Book Review- Jennette McCurdy's I'm Glad My Mom Died

Thank you to Libro FM and Simon & Schuster Audio for a copy of Jennette McCurdy’s memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died.

Nickelodeon child star Jennette McCurdy recounts a deeply troubled relationship with her mother, including emotional abuse that lead to a severe eating disorder. McCurdy’s mother had a long battle with reoccurring cancer, eventually passing away when McCurdy was in her twenties. McCurdy candidly explains the relief she felt with her mother gone and her struggle to overcome the toxicity of her upbringing.

I’m Glad My Mom Died is the hot non-fiction book of late summer 2022. I work as a bookseller and it is impossible to get in stock. Customers ask for it in hushed tones, as if saying the title aloud might bring bad luck. I don’t remember the last time a book has initiated so many interesting conversations.

I was drawn to the title. I had not previously heard of McCurdy, as she is a younger generation and I never watched her shows on Nickelodeon. A majority of the customers seeking her book are fans, however, you do not need to be a fan to appreciate her memoir. I’m generally drawn to non-fiction titles dealing with death and mother/daughter relationships, which is why the title, especially paired with the cover photo, made it appealing. Unlike McCurdy, I had a mostly wonderful relationship with my mom, but I can relate to that taboo sense of relief when a parent dies and you have the freedom of breaking away from your childhood, including family expectations.

This memoir is shocking! McCurdy’s mom uses her daughter as a proxy to chase after unfulfilled ambitions. McCurdy would do anything to please her mom and keep harmony in their household, which included relationship tension between her parents. In her focus on being a people-pleaser, McCurdy feels pressure to be perfect, including attending a strict schedule of extra-curricular classes aimed at improving her chances in Hollywood. McCurdy’s body is scrutinized as her mom, who also has an eating disorder, is proud of her daughter’s restrictive eating. The calorie restriction is not only to keep McCurdy thin, but to help delay puberty and keep her looking young to book kid parts. McCurdy develops a fear of puberty. McCurdy uses humor to lighten the topics and perhaps to deflect from truly difficult memories. Her pacing and sarcasm made me laugh. She has a strong comedic sensibility, but ultimately her memoir just made me feel really sad for her situation.

The feeling of hope comes towards the end, after her mother dies. McCurdy can finally let go of toxic relationships, not only the one with her mother, and make efforts to change her self-destructive tendencies. She feels empowered to make positive choices for her own health and happiness. She’s a strong woman.

If you can get your hands on a copy of I’m Glad My Mom Died, you should read it. If not, the audio version, read by McCurdy is a great option. It’s the non-fiction book of the season and definitely a pop-culture moment.

Side note, after finishing the book and doing a little internet digging about McCurdy, I discovered the book was originally a stage play that ran in Hollywood. I hope she reboots her play as i’d love to see it. Also, I had never seen her acting and watched a few clips. Specifically, I watched a bit of Sam & Cat, which she co-starred with Ariana Grande. The show is a cheesy comedy for kids and McCurdy is fine in her role, but Grande is shockingly unwatchable. I guess it’s different looking at it from the perspective of an adult, but I’m really glad that this show wasn’t on my step-kids radar when they visited us! Grande’s squeaky, babyish voice is going to haunt my nightmares.