October - HIGH FIDELITY or JULIET, NAKED by Nick Hornby
For the October Love Languages Bookclub, you have a choice of Nick Hornby love stories: the classic High Fidelity or the newer classic Juliet, Naked. Nick’s website describes his work as, “...the bestselling books which chart the lives, loves and obsessions of modern men and women,” and I couldn’t agree more. I love both of these titles because they entwine music obsession with love interests, and also give us that all-too-rare perspective of introspective men trying to figure out their lives. Let me know which you’ve read/which you’re reading along with me this month!
High Fidelity synopsis: Rob is a pop music junkie who runs his own semi-failing record store. His girlfriend, Laura, has just left him for the guy upstairs, and Rob is both miserable and relieved. After all, could he have spent his life with someone who has a bad record collection? Rob seeks refuge in the company of the offbeat clerks at his store, who endlessly review their top five films; top five Elvis Costello songs; top five episodes of Cheers.
Rob tries dating a singer, but maybe it’s just that he’s always wanted to sleep with someone who has a record contract. Then he sees Laura again. And Rob begins to think that life with kids, marriage, barbecues, and soft rock CDs might not be so bad.
Juliet, Naked synopsis: This is a portrait of unwavering commitment that spans twenty years, from the long winters of the Midwest, to surgical wards, to book parties in New York. Through love, fame, drugs, and despair, this is what it means to be part of two lives that are intertwined . . . and what happens when one is left behind.
This is a tender, brutal book about loving the person we cannot save. It is about loyalty, and being lifted up by the sheer effervescence of someone who knew how to live life to the fullest.
Click on the book format you would like to purchase.
