I want people to like me. My friends (obviously), people at work, the people reading this. I’m pretty sure I should be embarrassed by how much it matters to me what people think, but it does matter all the same. The older I get, the more I’m okay with the idea that since some people aren’t really my cup of tea, it’s fair that I’m not everyone’s cup of tea either. But that means that I’m okay with about 2% of people not liking me, maybe 3% as a worst-case scenario. Everyone else, I’m going to go ahead and need your approval.
Which is why I was intrigued enough by the title of this book to put it on my to-read list, even though comedian essay/memoir isn’t the end of the reading pool I do more than lightly dip my toes in very often. Faith Salie’s Approval Junkie chronicles her lifelong pursuit of other people’s regard, from her childhood acting career, to her determination to win her high school’s Miss Aphrodite crown, to trying to build a career as an actress in Hollywood, her relationship with her first husband, her divorce, remarriage, and eventual family life with children. Her writing voice is strong, sure, and entertaining, and she doesn’t just go for funny (although when she does, her chapter about trying to win over Bill O’Reilly is a highlight). She also hits pathos, describing her difficulties dealing with the death of her mother when she was 26 and her struggle to conceive a child; as well as life advice, in her chapter about how to conduct an interview/genuinely listen to other people…
Please find full review at 500 Books
