Yesterday was a gloriously do nothing day for me. Because of all the running around that I’ve been doing the past few weeks, it was very nice to not have to do a single thing … at all. I toyed with the idea of seeing a movie but, to be honest, I had a hard time getting off the couch. I watched some TV and really put a dent in Valley of the Dolls, the book that I am currently reading:
I have been trying to read this book for the past few weeks, well … for the past few years! It’s been on my book pile forever and I finally got around to reading it. I cannot believe how much I love it. The prose is so well-written, it’s very easy to just get lost in the story. I’m still very early in but I can already understand why this classic book has remained a cult classic for decades.
Tonight The Turtle Party: Book Club meets after much delay … we will FINALLY be discussing Good Omens and should be deciding which book to read next. To be honest, it’ll be great to see the Turtle Party folks again … it’s been too long.
OMG this is a MUST read for anyone! The movie is just as great…sharon tate’s last movie I believe before being killed by Manson. I got caught at ripe age of 12 checking out from the library. my mom scolded me, took me back inside and scolded the person that checked it out to me ;-) I still read it just she didn’t know it and just fell in LOVE….
@Cynthia — LOVE your story! I deffo will watch the movie after I finish the book :) xoxoxoxo
total old school!
I love this book. Definitely one of my favorites. Also, if you see the re-release of the movie from a couple of years ago, Ted Casablance, who writes The Awful Truth on Eonline, does some commentary. Fabulous.
Whoops, I mean Ted CasablancA.
I’m Neely O’Hara bitches believe.
I just re-read this book a few months ago. I loved it more the second time! such a great read. I’m excited to hear about what you think about the rest of the book :)
It took me months to get through Valley of the Dolls! Its actually a great read, but a slow start. However I do have to disagree with Cynthia, i’ve seen the movie, and in my opinion it is HILARIOUSLY bad!! Patty Duke specifically… i know that seems a little off, but man o man, one of the worst movies ever made!
And the theme song makes random appearances throughout, it’s like every 15 minutes or so someone said “ok, time to put the Dionne Warwick theme song in again!”.
I remember trying to find the book after catching the movie on TV. I called all over trying to find it and ended up in some used bookstore in a bad part of town just to get it. It’s so fab.
I LOVE the book. Her other ones aren’t bad either. The movie is horribly good, it’s so bad its great. Then roger ebert did ‘beyond the valley of the dolls’ screenplay that was scandalously, if thats a word, good.
I read this book when I was about 14, and I’ve recently started to reread it again and I love it just as much now as I did then! I can’t wait for you to finish reading it! It’s amazing!!
It didnt take me long to read this, cos i really loved it!!! great read trent, so glad that i saw this on your blog, its such a good book!!
OMG! Best. Movie. EVER.
It is so terrible and wonderful and melodramatic (“Neely? Neely?! NEELY?!!!!” in the pouring rain). Good God, I love it so much, I cannot even explain. I must read the book.
OMG if you love Valley of the Dolls, you should also read “Once Is Not Enough”. They made a move of that one, too, but the book is definitely Susann’s best. “The Love Machine” is also really good.
Love your blog, btw. I’ve read it for years and this is my first comment!
Hey! Great book, hey? I agree – Once is not Enough and The Love Machine are also great! So is Every Night Josephine (about the exploits of her poodle).
The movie is classic. “Beyond The Valley of the Dolls” is also interesting… but even “campier” than the original!
Loved the book. Hated the movie. I love all of Jacqueline Suzanne’s books. They’re all somewhat the same concept and the others aren’t nearly as great as this book, but they all give you this glamorous world to get lost in for a while.
I just wanted to say that I really appreciate you posting these book recommendations. I’m always looking for interesting books to read, and I know from reading this blog that I can trust your taste. So… THANKS, TRENT! Don’t stop updating us on your recent reads!
This is quite possibly one of my favorite books ever written! The film is terrible and definitely doesn’t do the book justice! Hope you enjoyed it!
Amazing book. I new nothing about it until I read it and it is one of my top 3 favs now. I haven’t seen the movie yet but hope to soon.
I was actually named after Neely O’hara in this movie!! My mom was a total Valley of the Dolls fan!! :)
DO NOT see the movie- it is just about terrible. Sharon Tate is beautiful though. Like Kelly, this book is one of my top 3. There’s a sequel to the book, “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.” Apparently Jacqueline Susann started to write it, but it was finished by another author. The book is OK. It’s a shorter read- it’s worth it if you are between reads…