TALK GERTIE TO ME

Author: Lois Winston ISBN: 0505526840 4/2006 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: DORCHESTER

Nori Stedworth was living the good life. Her own apartment in Manhattan, a hotter-than-hot boyfriend, and the best coffee in the city right around the corner. That is, until the dot-com company she worked for went bust, she found her supposedly committed man cavorting in the Jacuzzi with her best friend, and her mom flew in for a surprise visit—dragging her entire wardrobe and all her craft supplies in tow. Now suddenly, from out of nowhere, Nori’s acerbic (and annoying) alter ego from adolescence, Gertie, is throwing her two cents in about everything in Nori’s life. Like, Nori’s new job at a radio station hosting the wildly popular “Gertie Gets Even” might finally be her niche—if she agrees to forego her closely guarded anonymity. Like, Nori’s droolworthy boss, Mac, just might be the man of her dreams—if she listens to her heart. Like, it’s time Nori stopped hiding in the shadows. Move over, Gertie—Nori’s stepping up to the mic.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Nori's life seems to fall apart all in the space of a few hours. She thinks it can't be much worse when she loses her job, only to discover her boyfriend and best friend in a compromising position, and her mother in town for an unscheduled visit. Determined to move on, Nori soon finds herself working at a local talk radio station, espousing the female viewpoint on anything from toilet seats to birthdays, and falling for her new boss.

TALK GERTIE TO ME is light-hearted fare sure leave you with a smile on your face. Nori's alter-ego, Gertie, is just hilarious and actually says what many women think, but would never say. It's worth reading this book, just for Gertie's rants. Additionally, Nori's mom and her belly button casts are such a hoot. I definitely could see something so silly becoming the latest craze, especially in the world of celebrities. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Ms. Winston's lively, fun-filled debut.

Kendra Patterson