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32nd out of 44 books
—
9 voters
Swim
by
Jennifer Weiner (Goodreads Author)
The short story that inspired Jennifer Weiner’s forthcoming novel The Next Best Thing.Ruth has left her job writing for a hit television show for reasons she’d rather not discuss and is supplementing her increasingly dwindling savings with freelance writing projects—namely, helping anxious high school students craft a perfect college essay and lonely souls craft captivatin...more
ebook, 48 pages
Published
May 8th 2012
by Atria Books
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I had never read anything by Jennifer Weiner before, but thought I'd give her a try with this free e-short story, which was the inspiration for a forthcoming book, a preview of which is included with the download.
Based on just this read, Weiner is a great light fiction writer. Even within a short story and two chapters of the book, she has crafted a character for whom you are truly invested based upon the struggles she's had early in life - losing her parents in a car crash, which also badly sc...more
Based on just this read, Weiner is a great light fiction writer. Even within a short story and two chapters of the book, she has crafted a character for whom you are truly invested based upon the struggles she's had early in life - losing her parents in a car crash, which also badly sc...more
This short story written by Jennifer Weiner in the 90s and published in May 2012 is the inspiration for her new novel “The Next Best Thing” which was published in July 2012. This short story was also published in Weiner’s 2006 “The Guy Not Taken” which is a collection of short stories. This edition includes an introduction in which Weiner describes the origin of the short story and its later revisions. The story is about Ruth Saunders a young woman from Massachusetts now living in California wit...more
I've never been a big fan of short stories. Had I known this was a novella when I downloaded it, I probably would've reconsidered. Nevertheless, Swim is a good read about a young woman named Ruth who was involved in a car crash when she was quite young, leaving her orphaned and permanently disfigured. Ruth's grandmother raises her and they end up moving to Los Angeles were Ruth can pursue her dream of becoming a screen writer.
Ruth lands a job writing for a television show and ends up developing...more
Ruth lands a job writing for a television show and ends up developing...more
Picked it up last night and glad I did.
I must admit I got confused (what else is new)
Got confused because I have a book called The Next big Thing by another writer, Johanna Edwards, and I loved that book.
The Next Big Thing by Johanna Edwards
This book is about a not so thin girl who ends up on a Reality TV show, so at first I thought, "hey I do not remember the main character to be like that...."
Yes I know. a bit stupid....
Once my brains finally realized that this was going to be Jen Weiner's new...more
I must admit I got confused (what else is new)
Got confused because I have a book called The Next big Thing by another writer, Johanna Edwards, and I loved that book.
The Next Big Thing by Johanna Edwards
This book is about a not so thin girl who ends up on a Reality TV show, so at first I thought, "hey I do not remember the main character to be like that...."
Yes I know. a bit stupid....
Once my brains finally realized that this was going to be Jen Weiner's new...more
I've had Jennifer Weiner's novella Swim on my eReader for a while now, but never got around to reading it. It wasn't until the Bout of Books readathon came up that realized I had the perfect opportunity to finally give it a go.
Swim is a novella that's about a character in Weiner's newest novel, The Next Best Thing, namely, the character Ruth. I haven't read her newest novel, but this story was a perfect introduction to it. I adored Ruth's character -- she was strong, but still so insecure. I lo...more
Swim is a novella that's about a character in Weiner's newest novel, The Next Best Thing, namely, the character Ruth. I haven't read her newest novel, but this story was a perfect introduction to it. I adored Ruth's character -- she was strong, but still so insecure. I lo...more
2 likes · like · see review
Swim is a short story prequel for Jennifer Weiner’s book The Next Best Thing which will be released in July 2012. Ruth Saunders moved to Los Angeles a few years before the start of Swim, hoping to make it as a screenwriter, but after landing a gig on TV’s The Girl’s Room she’s had some career and romantic set backs so is currently employed helping clueless high school students with the college application process. With Ruth in LA is her lively grandmother, a woman who cooks Thanksgiving-like mea...more
I've read a couple of Jennifer Weiner's books, "Good in Bed" and "In Her Shoes." I really enjoyed both of those books so when Amazon was offering "Swim" for free on the Kindle I jumped at the chance to read a short story about a character in her upcoming book, "The Next Best Thing." After finishing this short story I can't wait to get my hands on it!
"Swim" introduces the reader to Ruth, the main character who's lost both her parents at a young age in a car accident that left her face scarred af...more
"Swim" introduces the reader to Ruth, the main character who's lost both her parents at a young age in a car accident that left her face scarred af...more
Apr 27, 2013
Megan
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Megan by:
Amazon--goaded me with it's offer for a free book!
Amazon offered this short story for free. I didn’t realize it would be so...well “short.” This is the short story that inspired her novel, The Next Best Thing. I’ll definitely be interested in reading the novel. The short story was just a teaser and ended rather abruptly.
Story: Ruth left her job where she had been writing for a television show. She is picking up some freelance writing--mostly helping high school kids to put together the perfect college essays. She also helps singles with their...more
Story: Ruth left her job where she had been writing for a television show. She is picking up some freelance writing--mostly helping high school kids to put together the perfect college essays. She also helps singles with their...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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I can't lie, I chose it because it was a short story (perfect for my first time mom schedule) and it was a free ebook (perfect for my stay at home mom bank account). The story centers around Ruthie, a writer, who is underemployed and caught some bad breaks in life. She has fallen for a guy that breaks her heart, but that leads her to some new writing avenues and eventually writing an online dating persona for a client. By the end of the short story you want more. Luckily, you can get it. This st...more
This "short story" is more of a marketing device than anything else. Billed as the story that inspired the author's upcoming novel, it feels more like a sketch/draft, or worse, a teaser for the book featuring the main character (you guessed it, she's a swimmer...) Anyway, the blurbs mentioned that Weiner was the author of 'smart chick lit", like In Her Shoes. Since I remember enjoying that movie, I said why not? But I think liking the movie had more to do with the great actresses (Toni Collette...more
I really enjoy that authors are putting out novellas and short stories that tease your interest in their future novels. Jennifer Weiner is one of my all time favorite authors. Her novel GOOD IN BED, is really what pulled me back into reading so many years ago. Ruth, the main character in SWIM, is somebody that I could easily relate to. Her struggles to find her place and to do what she loves has been derailed by choices she made and by other choices she did not make. Ruth attempts to swim away h...more
I’ve been a huge Jennifer Weiner fan since I first read Good in Bed about ten years ago. It’s still on my must read list and in my top 5 of all time. Anyway, it’s been a while since I’ve picked up one of her books, so when I saw Swim as a free short story by a favorite author… I couldn’t resist.
Swim is a prequel to The Next Best Thing and from the brilliance of this short… it’s destined to be exactly as the title reads. It’s on my short list. Weiner’s character development is like no other. Rut...more
Swim is a prequel to The Next Best Thing and from the brilliance of this short… it’s destined to be exactly as the title reads. It’s on my short list. Weiner’s character development is like no other. Rut...more
I have never read anything by Jennifer Weiner before. I have seen her books in book stores, but I was never inclined to buy one. Then I saw this short story free on Kindle, and thought I would give it a try. I love short stories because you can read them when you are short on time and often they can have very profound messages. In college, when I majored in literature, short stories were always may favorite genre to study. Well, without giving any details away, I cried all the way through this s...more
I read this because it was free, and short, and because I read one of Jennifer Weiner's books at one point and liked it pretty well, but this short story...didn't quite do it for me. Part of it might be that it's sort of a prequel, so the ending felt a little too...open-ended? Non-concrete? Well, something. I didn't even realize it was over at first because there's a preview for the book about that same character right after it. But also, I just couldn't relate to Ruth. I liked the beginning, bu...more
I was instantly hooked upon reading the first page, and I wanted to find a coffee shop like the one Ruth returned to day after day, to meet her for a cup of coffee and to discuss what she'd been working on that day! Being an application consultant for young teens from private schools, after having been a writer and even a screenwriter for a show, until she was heartbroken. Not only is she heartbroken, but she's extremely self conscious due to a pink scar the size of the bottom of a soda can, bec...more
I think this short story starts very strong. I like Ruth, she is interesting, she has problems that will need resolving, there seems to be a love interest who is annoying yet likeable - I was fairly invested.
The end, however, rather ruined this story for me. Mainly because it's not really an ending. Ending enough for a short story, I suppose, but none of the problems is resolved - probably because this short story is really advertising to entice you to purchase Weiner's book "The Next Best Thing...more
The end, however, rather ruined this story for me. Mainly because it's not really an ending. Ending enough for a short story, I suppose, but none of the problems is resolved - probably because this short story is really advertising to entice you to purchase Weiner's book "The Next Best Thing...more
After recently being entranced by the water after years of hiding from it, I found the exact opposite in this little eShort story: a girl hiding beneath the waters. Ruth is definitely an interesting character, her past is not one of sunshine, rainbows and ponies but instead of pain and disappointment and loss. It's tragic, but this is only briefly mentioned in the actual story, the real details are in the excerpt that follow it. Ruth's experiences with one of her clients is light-hearted and fun...more
"Swim" is a beautifully written short story about Ruth Saunders, a former TV writer now working as a freelance advisor to kids applying for college. After being approached by a stranger in the coffeeshop she usually works out of, she attempts to start a business helping people with their online dating profiles. The story is a lot more serious than it sounds, though, and deeper than I expected it to be.
To reveal more would spoil some of the surprises in this book. When it was over, I was disappoi...more
To reveal more would spoil some of the surprises in this book. When it was over, I was disappoi...more
There were a few reasons I picked this one:
1) It was free and I had read her stuff before (Good in Bed).
2) It was a transition read from a book that took a lot of time and thinking to get through. (needed something light).
3) I was one book behind on my Goodreads 2012 reading goal (LOL!)
Turned out to be less of story and more of a introduction I guess. I was just starting to get into it and it ended pretty abruptly. What I read was pretty good for the type of book that it is. A great way to intr...more
1) It was free and I had read her stuff before (Good in Bed).
2) It was a transition read from a book that took a lot of time and thinking to get through. (needed something light).
3) I was one book behind on my Goodreads 2012 reading goal (LOL!)
Turned out to be less of story and more of a introduction I guess. I was just starting to get into it and it ended pretty abruptly. What I read was pretty good for the type of book that it is. A great way to intr...more
Swim is an eShort story that inspired Jennifer Weiner's novel, The Next Best Thing. Main character Ruth left her job writing for a television show. Now she spends her time helping high schools students with college application essays and writing online dating profiles. When she's not working, Ruth is swimming laps at the local pool. The familiar smell of chlorine eases Ruth's homesickness, heartbreak and shame. Swimming is her solace.
Swim is a nice short introduction to Ruth, two very interesti...more
Swim is a nice short introduction to Ruth, two very interesti...more
I love Weiner's work and this is no exception--I had no idea that NEXT BEST THING was a continuation of this short.
That said...
I've already read this short. I'm a big Weiner fan, so of course I own THE GUY NOT TAKEN. The e-book was free, and I'm certainly not complaining, since having a Weiner story on my nook is awesome (I collect her stuff in hardcover). I wasn't upset to re-read this story--it's great, and Ruth is an interesting character--but I was surprised to realize it was one I'd already...more
That said...
I've already read this short. I'm a big Weiner fan, so of course I own THE GUY NOT TAKEN. The e-book was free, and I'm certainly not complaining, since having a Weiner story on my nook is awesome (I collect her stuff in hardcover). I wasn't upset to re-read this story--it's great, and Ruth is an interesting character--but I was surprised to realize it was one I'd already...more
I find Jennifer Weiner to be so hit or miss. I've liked some of her books in the past, and have absolutely hated others. I've been reading a lot about The Next Best Thing, and when I saw this story being offered up for free, I decided to give it a try. I liked the story and think Ruth is a character who has potential, but after seeing several less than stellar Amazon reviews of The Next Best Thing, I'm not so sure I want to give the book a chance. Still, this is a pretty good story that does giv...more
Shorter than I expected, but since I read it immediately before sleeping, that worked out well. It almost felt more like a teaser or free preview than a short story but that didn't make me dislike it. This was my first foray into one of Jennifer Weiner's stories - unless you count seeing the movie adaptaton of "In Her Shoes". I know a lot of others (including my sister) are big fans of hers and I have to say, I can understand why. I enjoyed this very short story and am interested to find out mor...more
The writing is smooth -- not elegant, but simple and clear and full of good details that bring the scenes to life.
As others have said, this "short story" doesn't really feel complete, but I wouldn't say it ends on a cliffhanger or anything. Also, the ebook is padded with sample pages from Weiner's latest novel. I don't mind when they do that, but I don't like when they're not upfront about it, and I feel the marketing (even the "An eShort Story" in the title) was misleading.
I liked Ruthie, thoug...more
As others have said, this "short story" doesn't really feel complete, but I wouldn't say it ends on a cliffhanger or anything. Also, the ebook is padded with sample pages from Weiner's latest novel. I don't mind when they do that, but I don't like when they're not upfront about it, and I feel the marketing (even the "An eShort Story" in the title) was misleading.
I liked Ruthie, thoug...more
Swim is a short story by Jennifer Weiner that was included in the book The Guy Not Taken. It is also the inspiration for her newest novel, The Next Best Thing. I purchased the short on Amazon for two reasons. The first being the price: At $1.99, you can’t go wrong. (Although I do believe the Kindle edition is free right now.) The second is I missed her. I really did. I love her writing style and her characters. The way she infuses them with such realism they can be anyone you actually know or wi...more
4.5 stars
I had already read this story before, but I had to read it again after finishing
yesterday. I just wanted a little more Ruthie, and of grandma as well.
The characters are so completely real it makes reading so easy. It's like hanging out with friends you haven't seen in a while, and that you're really happy spending time with again!
I had already read this story before, but I had to read it again after finishing
yesterday. I just wanted a little more Ruthie, and of grandma as well.The characters are so completely real it makes reading so easy. It's like hanging out with friends you haven't seen in a while, and that you're really happy spending time with again!
I very much liked Weiner's Good in Bed. I was less excited about Goodnight Nobody, so I hadn't picked up any more of her books. This short was free, so I snagged it and now I remember what I liked about Jennifer Weiner. I'm not usually a fan of short fiction. Usually it doesn't leave me satisfied. This does. Short as it is, the heroine has a character arc and the ending is upbeat and hopeful. I will be reading Jennifer W's book The Next Best Thing, which is an outgrowth of this story.
For a short story it kind of left me hanging a bit but the story itself teaches us an important lesson...always to give people the benefit of the doubt because there is always more than meets the eye. As always it is written in Jennifer Weiner style a page turner from the beginning to end and she hasn't lost the ability to connect in a relatable and down to earth fashion with her readers! I can't wait to read the continuation of the sequel The Next Best Thing!
I've read a number of short stories that have blown my mind with their subtle complexities and others that just fell flat. Swim fell somewhere in the middle.
Apparently the author wrote this novella a while back, and it is the inspiration for her newest novel. It's like a long prologue to get us ready for her latest release.
It's free on iBooks and honestly that's probably the only way they would have gotten me to read it in the first place. It's good and short but not interesting enough that I...more
Apparently the author wrote this novella a while back, and it is the inspiration for her newest novel. It's like a long prologue to get us ready for her latest release.
It's free on iBooks and honestly that's probably the only way they would have gotten me to read it in the first place. It's good and short but not interesting enough that I...more
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Jennifer Weiner was born in 1970 on an army base in Louisiana. She grew up in Connecticut and graduated from Princeton University. She worked as a newspaper reporter in Central Pennsylvania, Lexington, Kentucky, and Philadelphia, before the publication of her first novel, GOOD IN BED, in 2001. She is the author of the novels IN HER SHOES (2002), which was turned into a major motion picture; LITTLE...more
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May 18, 2012 08:54pm