Talking as Fast as I Can. Book Review.

Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham is a delightful one-sided conversation about the rise to becoming a recognized actress, life on the Gilmore Girls set (for both series), and modern pressures and experiences in Hollywood.

For those who are a fan of the show Gilmore Girls, this book is like a 250-page monologue by Lorelai Gilmore. The book is actually the story of the actress behind Lorelai and her rise to stardom, but her personality and speech pattern are so similar to Lorelai, it’s easy to forget that one is not the other.

Graham dips into her childhood, meditates on modern day fads in Hollywood (with quite a bit of emphasis on diets and exercise), gives some delightful insights into her love life and shares stories from her time spent on other projects, such as Parenthood. But, for this reader, two parts of her narrative particularly stood out:

1. Her descriptions of her time working on Gilmore Girls, both then and for the 2016 Netflix series. This TV show means a great deal to this reviewer, and listening to the audiobook was like having an in-depth conversation about how wonderful the whole show was while I was doing chores around the house. She also goes into detail about other cast members, and the reader gets to know the delightful world of Stars Hollow just a little better. Graham is unfalteringly positive in her memories, and in how she speaks of other people, which speaks more about the author than anything, enduring her further to the reader.
2. She spends some time discussing her writing process. This was an unexpected, but relatable, gem of a chapter for this reader. It’s wonderful to hear from a fellow writer, who has actually been published, that the process is just as excruciating for everyone. She also has some valuable advice for those just starting out.

Would I Recommend It?

Yes, if you’re up for an easy-to-read memoir AND if you LOVE Gilmore Girls. I’m not sure how engaging the content would be overall if you’re not a fan of the show, or it’s general tone/sense of humor.

Do keep in mind that there are spoilers. She announces them before she gives them, but it may be best to get caught up on the show before watching.

Also, the audiobook was delightful, but I borrowed it from a library app and didn’t have access to a bunch of pictures that she was referencing throughout the book. Consider borrowing the book so you have access to these pictures.