I recently completed Stephanie Klein's memoir, Straight Up and Dirty. I must admit that although I am a fan of the memoir genre, Klein's book is one of the few memoirs I've completed written by a woman. I found out about Stephanie Klein through a post Beth made about Klein's book and blog. I must have been one of the few people who was not familiar with Klein's much read blog, Greek Tragedy, which became the inspiration for her memoir. Apparently Klein literally copies and pastes sections from her blog into her book (hmm). Klein's memoir was destined to be one of those books that I couldn't put down, not because it's so brilliant but because Klein is honest and her story is both amusing (Her ex-mother-in-law was a 'shrub of a woman' who 'sounded like she'd swallowed a southerner' and looked 'like a transvestite who had a one-night stand with a disco ball.") and heartbreaking. It pulls you in much like a soap opera might. You get hooked and know it's not the most intellectually stimulating way you could be spending your time but nevertheless you need to know how the story plays out. "One month after discovering her husband was having an affair, almost 30 Klein made him her 'Wasbund' and started trying to find a man to date again-or better, a 'pair and a spare,' as her telephone therapist advised. She 'rodated' desperately, searching for someone to repair her wounded ego. She even found a reasonably suitable boyfriend-only she broke it off when he suggested living together. At one point she faced the truth she'd avoided from the beginning, that she had to learn to appreciate herself for her own accomplishments before she could have a healthy relationship with a man."
Beyond being a "blogista" and a writer, Klein is also a photographer. Her latest photography collection, “Au Jus,” is featured in The Hotel Gansevoort in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan. After completion of the memoir I was lucky to discover that where Klein's book leaves off her blog picks up. According to said blog Klein has relocated from NYC to Austin and in addition to being with child(s) (she's having twins) is mere days away from her wedding nuptials. In addition to impending motherhood and giving marriage a second try the other eventful thing occurring in Klein's
life is that NBC is developing the book into a half-hour sitcom. Despite enjoying the memoir the one significant qualm I had was not with the content of the book but rather the cover. It's just too much. Plus there's also the fact that Klein received a $500,000 advance for this and another book (apparently about her experiences at fat camp). The $ seems a bit excessive for the final result. But aside from the self indulgent cover and the overly generous monetary advance I will go ahead and recommend this book. Oh and apparently it's located in the self help aisle of your local bookstore, which seems odd. Anyone care to venture a guess as to who the next "blogger" to get a book deal will be?
life is that NBC is developing the book into a half-hour sitcom. Despite enjoying the memoir the one significant qualm I had was not with the content of the book but rather the cover. It's just too much. Plus there's also the fact that Klein received a $500,000 advance for this and another book (apparently about her experiences at fat camp). The $ seems a bit excessive for the final result. But aside from the self indulgent cover and the overly generous monetary advance I will go ahead and recommend this book. Oh and apparently it's located in the self help aisle of your local bookstore, which seems odd. 
