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Viața mea pe net
Viața mea pe net, roman finalist la premiul „USA Best Books” 2011, are toate datele unei cărți îndrăznețe, în care umorul negru se împletește cu idealismul și cu optimismul timpului nostru.
Emily Thompson, o tânără plină de resurse și pasionată de arta contemporană, se muta în New York, unde își găsește un iubit artist și un loc de muncă într-o galerie de artă. Când totul merge cum nu se poate mai bine, soarta i se schimbă, rămâne fără resurse și fără sprijin și departe de ajutorul familiei. Deznădăjduită, apelează la Craigslist, un site prin intermediul căruia întâlnește diferite personaje dubioase, care îi vor aduce numai necazuri.
„De ce citești cartea asta? Răspunsul e simplu: pentru că ești tot timpul în căutarea lucrurilor inteligente, pentru că îți displac personajele plicticoase și pentru că te-ai săturat de replici nesărate.” (A Bookish Affair)
„Viața mea pe net este un roman al contrastelor, o poveste despre dragoste și viață, o carte pe care nici un tânăr al timpurilor noastre n-ar trebui s-o rateze.” (Midwest Book Review)
„O adevărată aventură a lecturii; prin ritmul ei săltăreț și noutatea subiectului Viața mea pe net amintește de ultimele trenduri ale blogurilor.” (Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Review)
Emily Thompson, o tânără plină de resurse și pasionată de arta contemporană, se muta în New York, unde își găsește un iubit artist și un loc de muncă într-o galerie de artă. Când totul merge cum nu se poate mai bine, soarta i se schimbă, rămâne fără resurse și fără sprijin și departe de ajutorul familiei. Deznădăjduită, apelează la Craigslist, un site prin intermediul căruia întâlnește diferite personaje dubioase, care îi vor aduce numai necazuri.
„De ce citești cartea asta? Răspunsul e simplu: pentru că ești tot timpul în căutarea lucrurilor inteligente, pentru că îți displac personajele plicticoase și pentru că te-ai săturat de replici nesărate.” (A Bookish Affair)
„Viața mea pe net este un roman al contrastelor, o poveste despre dragoste și viață, o carte pe care nici un tânăr al timpurilor noastre n-ar trebui s-o rateze.” (Midwest Book Review)
„O adevărată aventură a lecturii; prin ritmul ei săltăreț și noutatea subiectului Viața mea pe net amintește de ultimele trenduri ale blogurilor.” (Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Review)
252 pages, Paperback
First published January 2, 2011
11 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Ares
9 books16 followersIn 2011 and 2012 Alexandra Ares came out with three novels and won 3 important indie awards, establishing herself as a highly original new American author. Like Ayn Rand in literature or Craig Ferguson in late night comedy, two of her idols, Romanian-born Alexandra Ares creates her own rules: it's the immigrant experience.
Alexandra Ares is a member of Pen American Center, Dramatist Guild of America and Union of Romanian Writers (USR). Novelist, playwright, screenwriter, television host, documentary maker and cultural critic with a Ph.D. in American Dramatic Literature, Ares is a fierce, original, creative spirit worth keeping an eye on. She was featured in Elle, Time Out, Cosmopolitan, and many radio and TV shows. She lives in Manhattan, NY.
But let's start with the beginning. Alexandra Ares was born in Bucharest, where her father was an eccentric comedy playwright and her mother a charismatic French teacher. When she first first saw her Dad speaking to himself and laughing while driving his car, most likely saying the lines of whatever comedy he was then writing, Alexandra knew that her father was "different".
After the fall of communism, her formerly drab life changed completely, as she was admitted on top of the list at the leading University of Drama and Film in Bucharest, the hardest to get into in the entire country. In her second year of college she started working for television, producing and directing her first documentary of 90 minutes at the tender age of 22, and her TV series about theater by the time she graduated from college. During that time she travelled extensively across Europe covering the arts.
However, she left that safe, charmed life, and changed her destiny completely for the second time, when she moved to New York after an experimental eye surgery in 1998. With black post surgical sunglasses, no friends and no money in her pocket, she took a series of odd jobs and experienced the hardships and adventures of being a first generation immigrant, which later inspired her writing.
Her debut novel was DREAM JUNKIES published for the first time in Romania in 2008, where it was an unexpected best seller, is Finalist of the Book of the Year Award in Romance category (ForeWord Reviews). Her second novel, MY LIFE ON CRAIGSLIST, is Finalist of the Best Books Award for Women Fiction in 2011, and THE OTHER GIRL, Winner of the Best Indie Novella Award in 2012.
Her heroes are vibrant, single, immigrant New York women and men, at different ages and stages of their lives in the city with a keen sense of humor, unusual points of view, who are daring, sensitive, and insightful, at crossroads of sorts, living interesting lives.
Before her launch as a novelist, Alexandra Ares was known as a quirky columnist of her own literary magazine, Manhattan Chronicles, where she published provocative, witty essays about relationships shifts at the dawn of the 21st century.
Alexandra thanks you for taking your time to check out her books on Goodreads. She appreciates critiques from people who read the entire book, and she thanks you for NOT reviewing her books after skimming only the first page.
Alexandra Ares is a member of Pen American Center, Dramatist Guild of America and Union of Romanian Writers (USR). Novelist, playwright, screenwriter, television host, documentary maker and cultural critic with a Ph.D. in American Dramatic Literature, Ares is a fierce, original, creative spirit worth keeping an eye on. She was featured in Elle, Time Out, Cosmopolitan, and many radio and TV shows. She lives in Manhattan, NY.
But let's start with the beginning. Alexandra Ares was born in Bucharest, where her father was an eccentric comedy playwright and her mother a charismatic French teacher. When she first first saw her Dad speaking to himself and laughing while driving his car, most likely saying the lines of whatever comedy he was then writing, Alexandra knew that her father was "different".
After the fall of communism, her formerly drab life changed completely, as she was admitted on top of the list at the leading University of Drama and Film in Bucharest, the hardest to get into in the entire country. In her second year of college she started working for television, producing and directing her first documentary of 90 minutes at the tender age of 22, and her TV series about theater by the time she graduated from college. During that time she travelled extensively across Europe covering the arts.
However, she left that safe, charmed life, and changed her destiny completely for the second time, when she moved to New York after an experimental eye surgery in 1998. With black post surgical sunglasses, no friends and no money in her pocket, she took a series of odd jobs and experienced the hardships and adventures of being a first generation immigrant, which later inspired her writing.
Her debut novel was DREAM JUNKIES published for the first time in Romania in 2008, where it was an unexpected best seller, is Finalist of the Book of the Year Award in Romance category (ForeWord Reviews). Her second novel, MY LIFE ON CRAIGSLIST, is Finalist of the Best Books Award for Women Fiction in 2011, and THE OTHER GIRL, Winner of the Best Indie Novella Award in 2012.
Her heroes are vibrant, single, immigrant New York women and men, at different ages and stages of their lives in the city with a keen sense of humor, unusual points of view, who are daring, sensitive, and insightful, at crossroads of sorts, living interesting lives.
Before her launch as a novelist, Alexandra Ares was known as a quirky columnist of her own literary magazine, Manhattan Chronicles, where she published provocative, witty essays about relationships shifts at the dawn of the 21st century.
Alexandra thanks you for taking your time to check out her books on Goodreads. She appreciates critiques from people who read the entire book, and she thanks you for NOT reviewing her books after skimming only the first page.
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December 4, 2022
Autoarea a lucrat pentru Redactia Teatru din TVR realizand zeci de emisiuni intre 1992 si 1997. In 1998 a emigrat in Statele Unite la New York si a lucrat pentru diverse televiziuni, case de productie si sindicate de stiri americane. A scris atat in limba engleza cat si in romana iar in Romania a mai publicat "Exilata in trecut" (ed. Cartea Romaneasca), "Sam Shepperd, un rebel al rigorii mortale" (ed. Aldine) si piesa bilingva "Walking Beauty - Frumoasa adormita si trezita", piesa jucata pe Off-Broadway.
Romanul de fata are ca titlu original "My life on Craigslist" care, asa cum stim, este un site din America unde sunt postate diverse anunturi de vanzare-cumparare, matrimoniale, forumuri de discutii, etc.
In ceea ce priveste actiunea o avem in prim-plan pe Emily Thompson ce are o zi teribila: este concediata, asta dupa ce consultase in prealabil un astrolog si un cititor in tarot de pe Craigslist care o asigurasera ca acest lucru nu se va intampla. Iubitul ei, un artist pe care ea il ajutase sa se lanseze la galeria de arta unde lucrase, o paraseste apoi pentru o maseuza gasita pe acelasi Craigslist.
Ramanand singura si fara resurse financiare Emily decide sa apeleze, ce credeti, tot la Craigslist pentru a-si gasi un coleg de camera cu care sa-si imparta chiria, un nou iubit si o noua slujba. Si asa cum va imaginati, acolo va trece prin tot felul de aventuri amuzante, jenante si dubioase.
Ce retinem din carte?
- Dupa ce iubitul ei vorbeste cu alta la telefon ii cumpara o pereche de pantofi deoarece apare sentimentul de vinovatie. Curios este ca el nici nu tine la ea si tot este ros de constiinta.
- Nu-i o idee buna sa te urci pe vaporul unui necunoscut chiar daca esti singura, disperata si depresiva. Mai degraba ia un Zoloft.
- Daca barbatul nu te suna la 23:00 cum ti-a promis, nu mai astepta nici la 23:30. Iar la 23:45 nu-i trimite mesaj decat daca vrei ca la 00:00 sa-ti zica el in fata ca nu vrea sa aiba de-a face cu tine.
- Cum suna anunturile la sectiunea matrimoniale:
"Sunt oarecum intr-o relatie, dar daca-mi scrii o sa ma uit peste profilul tau si daca esti mai bun decat actualul partener - am sa-ti raspund."
- Cand un barbat iti deschide sifonierul si-ti aranjeaza hainele e clar ca vrea sa stie cat loc va avea pentru ale sale. In niciun caz nu-l intereseaza garderoba ta.
- Daca locuiesti in America si te culci cu un imigrant asigura-te ca nu ramai insarcinata doar ca sa obtina el viza de sedere astfel.
Foarte interesant si educativ este faptul ca in roman se face referire la celebra escrocherie cu modeling-ul. Chiar si in prezent pe bulevardele capitalei dar si in alte mari orase putem intalni aceasta inselatorie cand femei cu buna credinta sunt ademenite cu promisiuni de a deveni model peste noapte in schimbul unor sume de bani achitate pe loc. Desigur ca nu vor mai fi contactate ulterior.
In incheiere va recomand romanul pentru efervescenta sa, pentru umor, felul inteligent si fresh in care este scris si pentru ca este mereu o surpriza placuta sa descoperim un autor roman de succes ce a reusit atat pe plan national cat si international.
Romanul de fata are ca titlu original "My life on Craigslist" care, asa cum stim, este un site din America unde sunt postate diverse anunturi de vanzare-cumparare, matrimoniale, forumuri de discutii, etc.
In ceea ce priveste actiunea o avem in prim-plan pe Emily Thompson ce are o zi teribila: este concediata, asta dupa ce consultase in prealabil un astrolog si un cititor in tarot de pe Craigslist care o asigurasera ca acest lucru nu se va intampla. Iubitul ei, un artist pe care ea il ajutase sa se lanseze la galeria de arta unde lucrase, o paraseste apoi pentru o maseuza gasita pe acelasi Craigslist.
Ramanand singura si fara resurse financiare Emily decide sa apeleze, ce credeti, tot la Craigslist pentru a-si gasi un coleg de camera cu care sa-si imparta chiria, un nou iubit si o noua slujba. Si asa cum va imaginati, acolo va trece prin tot felul de aventuri amuzante, jenante si dubioase.
Ce retinem din carte?
- Dupa ce iubitul ei vorbeste cu alta la telefon ii cumpara o pereche de pantofi deoarece apare sentimentul de vinovatie. Curios este ca el nici nu tine la ea si tot este ros de constiinta.
- Nu-i o idee buna sa te urci pe vaporul unui necunoscut chiar daca esti singura, disperata si depresiva. Mai degraba ia un Zoloft.
- Daca barbatul nu te suna la 23:00 cum ti-a promis, nu mai astepta nici la 23:30. Iar la 23:45 nu-i trimite mesaj decat daca vrei ca la 00:00 sa-ti zica el in fata ca nu vrea sa aiba de-a face cu tine.
- Cum suna anunturile la sectiunea matrimoniale:
"Sunt oarecum intr-o relatie, dar daca-mi scrii o sa ma uit peste profilul tau si daca esti mai bun decat actualul partener - am sa-ti raspund."
- Cand un barbat iti deschide sifonierul si-ti aranjeaza hainele e clar ca vrea sa stie cat loc va avea pentru ale sale. In niciun caz nu-l intereseaza garderoba ta.
- Daca locuiesti in America si te culci cu un imigrant asigura-te ca nu ramai insarcinata doar ca sa obtina el viza de sedere astfel.
Foarte interesant si educativ este faptul ca in roman se face referire la celebra escrocherie cu modeling-ul. Chiar si in prezent pe bulevardele capitalei dar si in alte mari orase putem intalni aceasta inselatorie cand femei cu buna credinta sunt ademenite cu promisiuni de a deveni model peste noapte in schimbul unor sume de bani achitate pe loc. Desigur ca nu vor mai fi contactate ulterior.
In incheiere va recomand romanul pentru efervescenta sa, pentru umor, felul inteligent si fresh in care este scris si pentru ca este mereu o surpriza placuta sa descoperim un autor roman de succes ce a reusit atat pe plan national cat si international.
June 13, 2011
My Life on Craigslist / 9781450746045
I'm not usually much for "chick lit" like "Bridget Jones's Diary", but I picked up this indie author book because I liked the first chapter and the premise sounded cute: protagonist Emily is trying to find her dreams in the big city, and her preferred search method for jobs, dates, and roommates is the online ad-posting site, Craigslist.
The premise is fun, but the execution is sometimes a little heavy-handed. Almost everyone Emily meets uses Craigslist extensively, and quite a few of the men and women she interacts with in the chapter vignettes (Emily gets a Roommate, Emily gets a Job, Emily gets a Date, Emily gets a Different Roommate, etc.) have rather long monologues about their views on Craigslist in general and the people online in particular. The speeches are generally clever and cute, but sometimes don't flow perfectly within the narrative.
"My Life on Craigslist" doesn't vary extensively from the chick lit formula. Emily is constantly on the verge of eviction, starvation, and crushing debt, but still manages to somehow go out for drinks and buy designer clothing when her fleeting jobs require it. She's picky about her roommates and prospective dates to the point of self-parody, and frequently repeats the chick lit meme that being 5'5" and 12X pounds is somehow "chubby" and "fat". Still, these bits are in the minority for the most part, and buried in a lot of cute and clever situations that frequently found me smiling at the text or outright laughing out loud.
This novel isn't perfect, especially not towards the end when the biggest deus ex machina I think I've ever seen blindsides both Emily and reader with the force of a speeding bus, but the overall story is fun and compelling, and will carry the reader happily to the end. The novel isn't particularly deep and it's often not entirely congruous, but it's light and fun and has plenty of cute moments along the way.
~ Ana Mardoll
I'm not usually much for "chick lit" like "Bridget Jones's Diary", but I picked up this indie author book because I liked the first chapter and the premise sounded cute: protagonist Emily is trying to find her dreams in the big city, and her preferred search method for jobs, dates, and roommates is the online ad-posting site, Craigslist.
The premise is fun, but the execution is sometimes a little heavy-handed. Almost everyone Emily meets uses Craigslist extensively, and quite a few of the men and women she interacts with in the chapter vignettes (Emily gets a Roommate, Emily gets a Job, Emily gets a Date, Emily gets a Different Roommate, etc.) have rather long monologues about their views on Craigslist in general and the people online in particular. The speeches are generally clever and cute, but sometimes don't flow perfectly within the narrative.
"My Life on Craigslist" doesn't vary extensively from the chick lit formula. Emily is constantly on the verge of eviction, starvation, and crushing debt, but still manages to somehow go out for drinks and buy designer clothing when her fleeting jobs require it. She's picky about her roommates and prospective dates to the point of self-parody, and frequently repeats the chick lit meme that being 5'5" and 12X pounds is somehow "chubby" and "fat". Still, these bits are in the minority for the most part, and buried in a lot of cute and clever situations that frequently found me smiling at the text or outright laughing out loud.
This novel isn't perfect, especially not towards the end when the biggest deus ex machina I think I've ever seen blindsides both Emily and reader with the force of a speeding bus, but the overall story is fun and compelling, and will carry the reader happily to the end. The novel isn't particularly deep and it's often not entirely congruous, but it's light and fun and has plenty of cute moments along the way.
~ Ana Mardoll
January 7, 2013
After reading a bunch of highly praised books that I couldn't finish, I really enjoyed this one. Lots of laugh out loud moments and riveting characters, touching, romantic, and compulsively readable, MY LIFE ON CRAIGSLIST has a cool blend of sex, romance, angst, satire, and food for thought. I highly recommend it. Not indicated for teens, though. On a scale of 1 to 5, I wanted to give it five stars for the level of enjoyment, but I reserve 5 stars for dramas, not for romantic comedy, even when it's very well done.
January 28, 2013
You can read this and other reviews at Madisonsays
As soon as I read the following passage I knew this was the book for me:
“Yesterday I worked out and I even ate steamed veggies but couldn’t say no to wine and four cookies around 7p.m. What lethal difference four sweet cookies can make in the grand scheme of things.”
Have you ever watched Seinfeld? My grandpa used to say it was a show about everything and nothing. My Life on Craigslist reminds me of that show. We all know Seinfeld was a huge hit and it’s easy to see why this book has gotten so much praise. Emily Thompson, a 25 year old, newly single, unemployed New Yorker. She spends most of her days and nights perusing the classifieds on Craigslist. If you’ve ever spent time on Craigslist, you can begin to formulate an idea of the disastrous situations Emily finds herself in. It’s funny, smart and filled with tons and tons of crazy drama.
“My home page used to be Google, but the Craigslist tab was always open, so I recently changed it to Craigslist because it has to be. My entire life revolves around this site, and now that I’m all alone, I need it more than ever.”
What is Emily searching for exactly? Well, beyond the happiness we’re all searching for, she’s looking for a new love interest, a roommate and of course a J-O-B. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have the best luck in any of those departments. After scouring ads, she winds up working for some very shady people and dating men that would make most of us turn and run.
“What scares me is we never know the truth about the people we meet, date, dream about, worship, or even live with. People are like icebergs. Whenever we look at each other there are huge, hidden parts lurking below the surface. And we never know what they might be.”
Just when you think things couldn’t get worse they do. The thing is…the bad times never last. Eventually, just like with everything in life, things have to start looking up.
I laughed, smiled and rolled my eyes more during this book than I have in a long time. Alexandra Ares brings to life a strong, sassy, fearless young woman. Emily is a girl after my own heart! I have a feeling that if she were real and not some creep magnet fictional character, we would be the best of friends.
“Ive been living several months like a hermit, just me and my laptop, and now I am startled by this sudden immense display of life and people that exist regardless of me, separate of me, independent of me, oblivious of me.”
If you’re looking for a quick witty read, you’ve found it! My Life on Craigslist is an adventure you won’t want to miss.
As soon as I read the following passage I knew this was the book for me:
“Yesterday I worked out and I even ate steamed veggies but couldn’t say no to wine and four cookies around 7p.m. What lethal difference four sweet cookies can make in the grand scheme of things.”
Have you ever watched Seinfeld? My grandpa used to say it was a show about everything and nothing. My Life on Craigslist reminds me of that show. We all know Seinfeld was a huge hit and it’s easy to see why this book has gotten so much praise. Emily Thompson, a 25 year old, newly single, unemployed New Yorker. She spends most of her days and nights perusing the classifieds on Craigslist. If you’ve ever spent time on Craigslist, you can begin to formulate an idea of the disastrous situations Emily finds herself in. It’s funny, smart and filled with tons and tons of crazy drama.
“My home page used to be Google, but the Craigslist tab was always open, so I recently changed it to Craigslist because it has to be. My entire life revolves around this site, and now that I’m all alone, I need it more than ever.”
What is Emily searching for exactly? Well, beyond the happiness we’re all searching for, she’s looking for a new love interest, a roommate and of course a J-O-B. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have the best luck in any of those departments. After scouring ads, she winds up working for some very shady people and dating men that would make most of us turn and run.
“What scares me is we never know the truth about the people we meet, date, dream about, worship, or even live with. People are like icebergs. Whenever we look at each other there are huge, hidden parts lurking below the surface. And we never know what they might be.”
Just when you think things couldn’t get worse they do. The thing is…the bad times never last. Eventually, just like with everything in life, things have to start looking up.
I laughed, smiled and rolled my eyes more during this book than I have in a long time. Alexandra Ares brings to life a strong, sassy, fearless young woman. Emily is a girl after my own heart! I have a feeling that if she were real and not some creep magnet fictional character, we would be the best of friends.
“Ive been living several months like a hermit, just me and my laptop, and now I am startled by this sudden immense display of life and people that exist regardless of me, separate of me, independent of me, oblivious of me.”
If you’re looking for a quick witty read, you’ve found it! My Life on Craigslist is an adventure you won’t want to miss.
March 21, 2014
I am mixed on this book. I absolutely HATED the protagonist - she's spoiled, lazy, completely an unlikable character... but I kept reading. It was a "What in the world is this dummy going to do next?" type of thing. It obviously was written well enough that I didn't bail out, but when I got to the end (which I saw coming a mile away, honestly) I just felt "Meh."
January 5, 2017
Emily pierde job-ul,e deprimată şi nu ştie exact ce vrea, mai ales după pierderea prietenului ei Toby ce a lăsat-o pt o maseuză. Vrea să-şi poată plăti chiria şi să se bucure de intimitate, în acelaşi timp dar e misiune imposibilă fără job. În Manhattan, majoritatea nu pot trăi „pe cont propriu“ – chiar dintre cei care lucrează.....o viaţă oribilă: trăim doar ca să plătim chiria sau ipoteca, apoi murim.
Ea consideră internetul ca o "fereastră spre lume", deci intră pe Craigslist să pună un anunţ să găsească un coleg de cameră sau "jumătatea ei masculină". De când s-a mutat în Manhattan, încearcă să se schimbe, să mănânce sănătos(deşi crede că e grasă cu 64 de Kg), să-şi găsească un job care să-i placă, nu doar să-i aducă un salariu.
.Parinţii ei sper să se întoarcă în Buffalo dar ea simte de parcă s-ar fi ridicat un ecran de ceaţă în mintea ei şi nu vede dincolo de el. Craigslist nu reprezintă decât reflexia a ceea ce suntem.
Cât de multe se schimbă într-un an! În aprilie, anul trecut era pe val: plecase de la părinţi, dintr-un orăşel de lîngă Buffalo, şi se mutase în New York; nu mai era funcţionară la bancă, ci lucra într-o galerie de artă la modă în Manhattan şi îl părăsise pe prietenul ei de atunci, şi el funcţionar la bancă, pentru un tânăr artist genial (Toby). Într-un an a pierdut totul şi trebuie s-o ia de la capăt. Nu le poate zice părinţilor că a plecat din Buffalo, de la banca unde era funcţionară cu toate beneficiile incluse, să lucreze într-o galerie de artă din Lower East Side, fără contract şi fără beneficii, nu se califică nici măcar pentru şomaj.
Un tip coreeano-irlandez numit Dennis Lee îi oferă pe Craigslist un bilet la teatru gratis ca să nu meargă singur Amîndoi se deletrează la "True West" de Sam Sheperd într-o distribuţie complet asiatică, într-o cameră de zi din New York apoi se destăinuie la un pahar de vin intr-un bar italian, el îi povesteşte că preferă numai aventuri de-o noapte după divorţul de nevastă şi copii. Ajunsă acasă Emily găseşte un mesaj ideal, o colegă de cameră-fantomă care va
plăti pentru o cameră pe care n-o foloseşte. Se numeşte Beata, e designer de interioare, vine din Boca Raton-Florida şi are nevoie de un loc în care să poată dormi până îşi găseşte ceva singură, e foarte ocupată şi ziua şi noaptea, călătoreşte mult şi are prieteni peste tot.
După puţin timp descoperă că Beata e o "damă de companie" şi nu ştie cum să se elibereze de ea pt că nu vrea să pară că o judecă.
Într-o zi aude că Poliţia a trecut şi a luat-o pe Beata deci se simte mai uşurată pt că aceasta vruia să o şantajeze pt că nu-i făcea o recomandare falsă că ar fii stat 6 luni în chirie acolo.
Ceea ce mă deranjează din carte e limbajul pe alocuri vulgar dar în rest e OK. Nu putem judeca repede orice situaţie de altfel "cine e fără păcat să arunce prima piatră".
Toate esecurile prin care a trecut pt a căuta o slujbă "decentă" au împins-o să se îndrepte spre o agenţie de dame de companie unde va fii angajată ca liber profesionistă. Astfel cunoaste pe Bill Gruber un producător de film, divorţat si cu multe probleme "intime", cu gînduri ascunse. Ironia soartei e că tocmai el îi va cumpăra cu un milion jumate de dolari tabloul de Basquiat care-i lipsea din colecţie si pe care EA l-a găsit pe stradă.Trece prin multe peripeţii datorită pozelor făcute împreună cu Bill si rămîne 3 săptămâni închisă-n casă datorită paparazzilor ce o asteaptă în afara casei după ce au aflat de identitatea ei.....dar viaţa o binecuvântează si devine o "milionară săracă".
În cele din urmă reuseste să găsească si o persoană care-i va face un viitor strălucit, pleacă împreună spre Europa si în "The End" ne lasă să ghicim cît de fericiţi vor fii tinerii îndrăgostiţi.
Sigur tuturor ne place epilogul:"totul e bine cînd se termină cu bine".La inceput m-am preocupat că nu o să-mi placă acest roman dar nu am reusit să-l "las din mînă", l-am citit dintr-o suflare si-l recomand tuturor.
Ea consideră internetul ca o "fereastră spre lume", deci intră pe Craigslist să pună un anunţ să găsească un coleg de cameră sau "jumătatea ei masculină". De când s-a mutat în Manhattan, încearcă să se schimbe, să mănânce sănătos(deşi crede că e grasă cu 64 de Kg), să-şi găsească un job care să-i placă, nu doar să-i aducă un salariu.
.Parinţii ei sper să se întoarcă în Buffalo dar ea simte de parcă s-ar fi ridicat un ecran de ceaţă în mintea ei şi nu vede dincolo de el. Craigslist nu reprezintă decât reflexia a ceea ce suntem.
Cât de multe se schimbă într-un an! În aprilie, anul trecut era pe val: plecase de la părinţi, dintr-un orăşel de lîngă Buffalo, şi se mutase în New York; nu mai era funcţionară la bancă, ci lucra într-o galerie de artă la modă în Manhattan şi îl părăsise pe prietenul ei de atunci, şi el funcţionar la bancă, pentru un tânăr artist genial (Toby). Într-un an a pierdut totul şi trebuie s-o ia de la capăt. Nu le poate zice părinţilor că a plecat din Buffalo, de la banca unde era funcţionară cu toate beneficiile incluse, să lucreze într-o galerie de artă din Lower East Side, fără contract şi fără beneficii, nu se califică nici măcar pentru şomaj.
Un tip coreeano-irlandez numit Dennis Lee îi oferă pe Craigslist un bilet la teatru gratis ca să nu meargă singur Amîndoi se deletrează la "True West" de Sam Sheperd într-o distribuţie complet asiatică, într-o cameră de zi din New York apoi se destăinuie la un pahar de vin intr-un bar italian, el îi povesteşte că preferă numai aventuri de-o noapte după divorţul de nevastă şi copii. Ajunsă acasă Emily găseşte un mesaj ideal, o colegă de cameră-fantomă care va
plăti pentru o cameră pe care n-o foloseşte. Se numeşte Beata, e designer de interioare, vine din Boca Raton-Florida şi are nevoie de un loc în care să poată dormi până îşi găseşte ceva singură, e foarte ocupată şi ziua şi noaptea, călătoreşte mult şi are prieteni peste tot.
După puţin timp descoperă că Beata e o "damă de companie" şi nu ştie cum să se elibereze de ea pt că nu vrea să pară că o judecă.
Într-o zi aude că Poliţia a trecut şi a luat-o pe Beata deci se simte mai uşurată pt că aceasta vruia să o şantajeze pt că nu-i făcea o recomandare falsă că ar fii stat 6 luni în chirie acolo.
Ceea ce mă deranjează din carte e limbajul pe alocuri vulgar dar în rest e OK. Nu putem judeca repede orice situaţie de altfel "cine e fără păcat să arunce prima piatră".
Toate esecurile prin care a trecut pt a căuta o slujbă "decentă" au împins-o să se îndrepte spre o agenţie de dame de companie unde va fii angajată ca liber profesionistă. Astfel cunoaste pe Bill Gruber un producător de film, divorţat si cu multe probleme "intime", cu gînduri ascunse. Ironia soartei e că tocmai el îi va cumpăra cu un milion jumate de dolari tabloul de Basquiat care-i lipsea din colecţie si pe care EA l-a găsit pe stradă.Trece prin multe peripeţii datorită pozelor făcute împreună cu Bill si rămîne 3 săptămâni închisă-n casă datorită paparazzilor ce o asteaptă în afara casei după ce au aflat de identitatea ei.....dar viaţa o binecuvântează si devine o "milionară săracă".
În cele din urmă reuseste să găsească si o persoană care-i va face un viitor strălucit, pleacă împreună spre Europa si în "The End" ne lasă să ghicim cît de fericiţi vor fii tinerii îndrăgostiţi.
Sigur tuturor ne place epilogul:"totul e bine cînd se termină cu bine".La inceput m-am preocupat că nu o să-mi placă acest roman dar nu am reusit să-l "las din mînă", l-am citit dintr-o suflare si-l recomand tuturor.
May 8, 2025
Enervant de ignorantă protagonista, să nu uit și că e ofensatoare de-a dreptul. Citez: "...cuplurile, atât cele normale cât și cele homosexuale..." - poftim? Multe inconsecvențe și contradicții în felul său de a fi. E adesea superficială dar se supără dacă e tratată superficial. Extrem de închisă în propriile probleme, din care face un caz enorm chiar și dacă sunt "first world problems" si se găsește în multe situații ca o femeie privilegiată. Condamnă ocupația unei colege de apartament, doar ca o vreme mai târziu să cocheteze și ea cu o ocupație similară. O găsește la un moment dat și o senzație de patriotism ieftin și nejustificat, se supără aprig când cineva din altă țară critică țara în care ea s-a născut, deși totodată recunoaște că nu a părăsit niciodată țara. Mintea îi e poluată cu tot felul de idei mistice și preconcepții (de exemplu se bazează pe ideea că bărbații dintr-un cartier anume nu sunt romantici). Are mai mult un soi de gândire magică decât logică, adesea crezând că ce i se întâmplă sunt doar șiruri de noroc-ghinion, fara recunoașterea unor factori reali.
Nu a fost neapărat genul de lectură "casual" la care m-am așteptat, conform colecției.
Nu a fost neapărat genul de lectură "casual" la care m-am așteptat, conform colecției.
August 2, 2024
Remember when Craigslist was a thing? I’ve had this in my Kindle library for probably 10 years and finally got around to reading it. Not great by any means, but it was something to read while on RAGBRAI. 🤷🏻♀️
June 15, 2020
O carte usurica, dar draguta. Iar autoarea e romanca.
January 25, 2011
I read the book in one sitting, although I am still new to reading e-books, and I would have preferred to read it as a paperback. The book is witty and draws you in, grips you, moves you, amuses you, and leaves you hoping and smiling.
This is the story of Emily, a starry eyed young girl’s life education and mis-education in New York through Craigslist. Everyone who tried the internet dating will enjoy and relate to this book. Ares is a very exciting new author, and this is my first introduction to her long format work, after reading some of her essays and columns in Manhattan Chronicles. I enjoyed the dry humor and the crackling prose, the combination of candor and depth that stands out on the page. Even if Ares could be occasionally labeled as a romantic, her romanticism is tempered with biting irony and a keen sense of women’s capacity for self deception. I also liked how funny and vividly she created the world of East Village and the many interesting references to art - because I am an artist. The swiftly moving story is never dull and deceptively simple. In a time when America panics that is on the verge of decline,
Emily watches, like Juno, the decline of traditional relationships and raw models, and ultimately character, and tries to cope the best she can. Like in the end of the Three Penny Opera, where the spectators are warned that in real life the happy end could have not occurred, the conversation about art between Emily and the movie mogul Guber in the middle of the novel, where they talk about the big pressure the artists face to deliver the fantasy the public needs, holds, I believe, the ‘built-in-cipher’ of reading My Life on Craigslist.
It is daring for an author to write fiction in a second language, and is remarkable that Ares can write so fluently and effectively in English. Even if sometimes the flow feels a bit ‘different’, it’s interesting, and it works to her advantage.
This is the story of Emily, a starry eyed young girl’s life education and mis-education in New York through Craigslist. Everyone who tried the internet dating will enjoy and relate to this book. Ares is a very exciting new author, and this is my first introduction to her long format work, after reading some of her essays and columns in Manhattan Chronicles. I enjoyed the dry humor and the crackling prose, the combination of candor and depth that stands out on the page. Even if Ares could be occasionally labeled as a romantic, her romanticism is tempered with biting irony and a keen sense of women’s capacity for self deception. I also liked how funny and vividly she created the world of East Village and the many interesting references to art - because I am an artist. The swiftly moving story is never dull and deceptively simple. In a time when America panics that is on the verge of decline,
Emily watches, like Juno, the decline of traditional relationships and raw models, and ultimately character, and tries to cope the best she can. Like in the end of the Three Penny Opera, where the spectators are warned that in real life the happy end could have not occurred, the conversation about art between Emily and the movie mogul Guber in the middle of the novel, where they talk about the big pressure the artists face to deliver the fantasy the public needs, holds, I believe, the ‘built-in-cipher’ of reading My Life on Craigslist.
It is daring for an author to write fiction in a second language, and is remarkable that Ares can write so fluently and effectively in English. Even if sometimes the flow feels a bit ‘different’, it’s interesting, and it works to her advantage.
March 31, 2015
amazon.com/author/sergiupobereznic
I opened the 'free sample' of this book on my Kindle, began reading, and a few moments later I found myself purchasing the whole thing. Talk about value for money.
This book was very amusing and eminently readable if you enjoy dark satire that moves at a swift, page turning pace. It was both fun and funny; it read a little like a movie script, (dare I say, Woody Allen meets Bridget Jones' diary) – and I absolutely LOVE Woody Allen and I recall Bridget Jones with fond memories, all those years ago. I hope the author doesn't find that insulting.
Some people have called this a 'chick novel' and 'light-hearted'; I'm not so sure about that. YES, there is a jocular aspect to it. However... behind the humor and perceptively witty thoughts, dialogues and comedic escapades, there are insights about the human psyche that I connected with, but without getting bogged down in the dreary, miserable diatribe of a philosophical debate (which I enjoy from time to time, admittedly).
If you take it for what it is, FUN and FUNNY, then you can't go wrong.
Until I read this book I knew nothing about Craigslist. Wow! What a world to experience. The author painted a wonderful picture of how it works, and how it goes all so wrong. She also has a distinctive voice from the beginning and one that I liked. The dialogue flowed well and the story kept me interested.
I experienced a short lull at the half way mark, but I think that may have been just me. It was 3-00A.M. after all.
All in all a very good read. And far too cheap from my point of view.
Sergiu Pobereznic (author)
amazon.com/author/sergiupobereznic
I opened the 'free sample' of this book on my Kindle, began reading, and a few moments later I found myself purchasing the whole thing. Talk about value for money.
This book was very amusing and eminently readable if you enjoy dark satire that moves at a swift, page turning pace. It was both fun and funny; it read a little like a movie script, (dare I say, Woody Allen meets Bridget Jones' diary) – and I absolutely LOVE Woody Allen and I recall Bridget Jones with fond memories, all those years ago. I hope the author doesn't find that insulting.
Some people have called this a 'chick novel' and 'light-hearted'; I'm not so sure about that. YES, there is a jocular aspect to it. However... behind the humor and perceptively witty thoughts, dialogues and comedic escapades, there are insights about the human psyche that I connected with, but without getting bogged down in the dreary, miserable diatribe of a philosophical debate (which I enjoy from time to time, admittedly).
If you take it for what it is, FUN and FUNNY, then you can't go wrong.
Until I read this book I knew nothing about Craigslist. Wow! What a world to experience. The author painted a wonderful picture of how it works, and how it goes all so wrong. She also has a distinctive voice from the beginning and one that I liked. The dialogue flowed well and the story kept me interested.
I experienced a short lull at the half way mark, but I think that may have been just me. It was 3-00A.M. after all.
All in all a very good read. And far too cheap from my point of view.
Sergiu Pobereznic (author)
amazon.com/author/sergiupobereznic
May 6, 2014
This was a cute, lighthearted book that delves into the life of a craigslist addict, and how craigslist got her through her life so far.. Someone who does everything from looking for places to find entertainment for the night, to dates, to selling and buying things. She even decided to become a escort for a brief, and I do mean brief, time. The story was well thought out and pretty realistic when it comes to life struggles, from finding a roommate, to the perfect man. It gets a little unbelievable towards the end, where the main character has a sudden … experience...to say for lack of spoilers, that is very less than true to life, more like dumb luck, but more than that, it’s like all authors feel the need to show that everyone has a happy ending. I don’t like it when authors conform to the ‘the world is perfect’ viewpoint most books have, but, that’s just my pessimist breaking through.
The book needs some serious editing, she’s repeated the same exact line 3-4 times a couple times, and is HYPHEN-CRAZY...hyphenating words that shouldn’t be hyphenated, like every-one, or some-thing, disappoint-ted. Aside from that, a few spelling errors, and a few words left out or in the wrong order in sentences, and it was a pretty good read. there wasn’t a LOT of spelling errors, so it didn’t make it difficult to read, and I only had to reread a few sentences because of the wording, so it wasn’t terrible in that aspect either.
All in all I’d give the book 4 stars. If she got some good editing, Alexandra Ares could make a pretty good chick-lit author.
The book needs some serious editing, she’s repeated the same exact line 3-4 times a couple times, and is HYPHEN-CRAZY...hyphenating words that shouldn’t be hyphenated, like every-one, or some-thing, disappoint-ted. Aside from that, a few spelling errors, and a few words left out or in the wrong order in sentences, and it was a pretty good read. there wasn’t a LOT of spelling errors, so it didn’t make it difficult to read, and I only had to reread a few sentences because of the wording, so it wasn’t terrible in that aspect either.
All in all I’d give the book 4 stars. If she got some good editing, Alexandra Ares could make a pretty good chick-lit author.
October 18, 2011
Emily is living the life that so many 20-somethings are living right now. DC is a very different city than NYC but a lot of my friends are still going through the same thing here. Do you stay here and try to make it or do you go back home to your family's house to re-group? It's a decision that a lot of people have to make. Emily tries to make the best of her current situation with mixed results. Through Craigslist, she finds a roommate who doubles as a escort/prostitute. She finds a slew of guys who just want a booty call. She finds jobs that aren't good fits and don't pay and other jobs that would mean paying too much on her side.
This book is a very funny and witty look at a situation that could be very bad and dreary. Emily is a character that you can really feel for. She's also one that you will want to root for as she deals with all of these situations. Some of the supporting characters really add a lot to the story. I found Emily's different roommates to be very funny. Most of us have had a roommate before where things either weren't what they seemed or had incredibly annoying habits. There are just some people that we are really aren't meant to live with and Emily learns that lesson herself.
Another bright spot in the book is that the author does a great job with the dialogue, which really serves to move the story along. I loved it!
Bottom line: A funny take on a real situation!
This book is a very funny and witty look at a situation that could be very bad and dreary. Emily is a character that you can really feel for. She's also one that you will want to root for as she deals with all of these situations. Some of the supporting characters really add a lot to the story. I found Emily's different roommates to be very funny. Most of us have had a roommate before where things either weren't what they seemed or had incredibly annoying habits. There are just some people that we are really aren't meant to live with and Emily learns that lesson herself.
Another bright spot in the book is that the author does a great job with the dialogue, which really serves to move the story along. I loved it!
Bottom line: A funny take on a real situation!
March 30, 2014
I was intrigued by the description, so I gave it a shot. I'm glad I did.
I was never like the main character, Emily, so it's interesting to read about her aimless life. She lives on Craigslist - finding men, finding roommates, finding work, finding social activities. Her life is empty and lonely, and she tries to fill it through online means. She certainly gets herself into some interesting situations.
I found the story to be creative. I liked Emily and was rooting for her to grow up and succeed. I like how the story is told. The supporting characters are interesting and help the story.
I didn't like the last 10% of the book. Once Emily takes a look around outside of the internet, she discovers something that leads to a sugary sweet, all tied up with a pretty bow kind of ending. While the rest of the story seems like *maybe* it could happen to someone, the end does not read that way. In the end, Emily doesn't have to grow up because she gets rescued by fate. That's ok, but just not for me. Others may really love it.
Also, I read the kindle version. There are quite a few errors - some punctuation, some errant quotation marks, a few words, and strange hyphens.
I read this book rather quickly - I think in 2 days. It would be great for the beach or a light vacation read.
I was never like the main character, Emily, so it's interesting to read about her aimless life. She lives on Craigslist - finding men, finding roommates, finding work, finding social activities. Her life is empty and lonely, and she tries to fill it through online means. She certainly gets herself into some interesting situations.
I found the story to be creative. I liked Emily and was rooting for her to grow up and succeed. I like how the story is told. The supporting characters are interesting and help the story.
I didn't like the last 10% of the book. Once Emily takes a look around outside of the internet, she discovers something that leads to a sugary sweet, all tied up with a pretty bow kind of ending. While the rest of the story seems like *maybe* it could happen to someone, the end does not read that way. In the end, Emily doesn't have to grow up because she gets rescued by fate. That's ok, but just not for me. Others may really love it.
Also, I read the kindle version. There are quite a few errors - some punctuation, some errant quotation marks, a few words, and strange hyphens.
I read this book rather quickly - I think in 2 days. It would be great for the beach or a light vacation read.
November 15, 2012
I've read this book's Romanian translation as my first chick lit experience. I started reading it around 8 or 9 pm and wasn't able to turn off the lights until I finished it. I enjoyed the humor, the style, the plot that all kept me alert and curious about the ending. In short: one day, Emily, a young woman in her twenties, very gifted with visual arts (especially paintings which she can tell valuable form crap at a glance) founds herself out of job and out of...boyfriend. Situation that prompts her to start her adventure on Craigslist, in a quest for the ideal man, the ideal life, the ideal roommate. I won't tell you more because I don't want to spoil your reading pleasure. I don't know if being a writer myself influenced me but I can tell that at a certain moment, it was obvious to me which of the long list of male characters is the one Emily ends up with. Overall, an enjoyable and catchy summer reading.
January 14, 2016
I must confess that this book took me by surprise! I expected it to be something like Sex and the City or The Devil Wears Prada or similar, but noooo, it was so much more different. And this was exactly what made me like it so much. It presented a piece of life, of REAL life, not just that illusion in which we all want to live and believe. It had some serious things in it, some situations which could have seriously endangered Emily's life, but I was glad that she managed to get past it all. I could not empathize with her all the way, because I thought that she was sometimes exaggerated in her thinking; she calls herself "weird" after all, so the reader is expected not to be 100% on the same page as her. But I liked her and her way of handling things. All in all, a good and interesting read for free nights, when all you want to do is crawl under a blanket with a cup of tea by your side and a book in your hands.
January 26, 2013
I started well but ended poorly. I loved her interaction with the internet. Her interpretations of internet characters before even meeting them. Her way of life that can only be lived by the young. The last part of the book goes horribly wrong. Did the author give up? Why I disliked the ending so much below.
MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!:
She finally gets offered a great job but then she comes into a little over a million dollars so passes it up. She meets a great guy who just so happens to be the neighbor across the street she's been spying on that likes all the same music and art she does. She runs off to Europe. Seriously?
A happy ending is one thing but this was such a cop out and so trite. I do like happy endings but there were so many other plausible ways this could have ended that would still be satisfying.
MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!:
She finally gets offered a great job but then she comes into a little over a million dollars so passes it up. She meets a great guy who just so happens to be the neighbor across the street she's been spying on that likes all the same music and art she does. She runs off to Europe. Seriously?
A happy ending is one thing but this was such a cop out and so trite. I do like happy endings but there were so many other plausible ways this could have ended that would still be satisfying.
April 12, 2015
It's an interesting read, but the character seemed too...flat. Boring. Old fashioned concepts of dating etiquette and other quirks of her character reminded me of 90's dating and life rather than modern, and left me with a permanent impression this book was dated back then, except for anachronisms like netbooks and references to Obama confusing me again. Basically, the author didn't seem to understand women in their twenties living in the modern day. Also, the level of intrigue she had the character go through seemed quite over the top, and I flat out thought she was idiotic for some of the decisions she made, rather than reckless like the author hoped.
September 22, 2014
I had my tablet open on Amazon right on "look inside the book" and I couldn't stop re-reading the intro pages...I smiled right away and the smile stayed there throughout the rest of the pages I could read! I even laughed out loud!
You know what that beginning reads like? A good comedy channel monologue! It was like reading Sarah Silverman or CK Louis, you were amazing!
Can you write a sequel? Do it now! Seriously!
Try to beat that! that is your voice, or at least, that is a voice "we, the people" need to hear...
HBO quality stuff, very "air du temps", unpretentious and heartbreaking at the same time!
You know what that beginning reads like? A good comedy channel monologue! It was like reading Sarah Silverman or CK Louis, you were amazing!
Can you write a sequel? Do it now! Seriously!
Try to beat that! that is your voice, or at least, that is a voice "we, the people" need to hear...
HBO quality stuff, very "air du temps", unpretentious and heartbreaking at the same time!
February 16, 2015
The grim and harsh reality of New York City is brought to life in this book. The author accurately depicts the truth about how lonely you can become in a crowded city. The characters and their quirks feel authentic. I only wish Emily's emotions were shown through her actions rather than told to the audience as if in a diary - the writing needed more "show, don't tell". The most exciting scenes, some of them beyond belief, felt rushed. For a story that involves tabloids and paparazzi, the author should know that readers are craving juicy details about scandals and given us more.
May 9, 2016
It kind of makes me want to check out craigslist... but then again, I'm not a 'one night stand' kind of girl. It also opened my eyes on how bad could have bad dads can be. Why not find a different way to meet people?
It made me sad and mad that she went through all of that but again, she did it to herself. Even after everything - she still used the site. She could have been happy and in love the whole time if she only read Chris's email ahead of time.
It made me sad and mad that she went through all of that but again, she did it to herself. Even after everything - she still used the site. She could have been happy and in love the whole time if she only read Chris's email ahead of time.
August 3, 2016
Picked this up either for free or very inexpensive for Kindle. Sounded like good, lighthearted reading. It was. Not a book that's going to change your life or make you think a lot, but I ended up caring for the main character and wanting to know what happens to her. Enjoyable book for a beach read.
November 28, 2014
An entertaining read... Not really my genre but I loved it anyway, although it was not as hilarious as Bridget Jones' Diary (which I sort of expected).
An Interview with the Author: Seaside Book Nook: http://www.seasidebooknook.com/2013/0...
An Interview with the Author: Seaside Book Nook: http://www.seasidebooknook.com/2013/0...
December 13, 2012
I found it very clever and entertaining. I read it in one seating, and it was quite a ride. Very funny, but also a little sad...I highly recommend it. For people who like books a little different, not cookie cutter style. A lot of fun.
May 4, 2014
Good read
Good quick read and kept me interested. I wish we heard some more from some of the secondary characters. Also I would have liked to have the story delve a little deeper into her escort ending. All together definitely worth the read though.
Good quick read and kept me interested. I wish we heard some more from some of the secondary characters. Also I would have liked to have the story delve a little deeper into her escort ending. All together definitely worth the read though.
August 27, 2014
Fun
Fun
enjoyed reading It was quirky in a way that kept me turning the page and rooting for the heroine she tells it in first person and I very much enjoyed the read
Fun
enjoyed reading It was quirky in a way that kept me turning the page and rooting for the heroine she tells it in first person and I very much enjoyed the read
September 11, 2014
I really enjoyed Emily aka Lace through this great little book. I caught myself laughing out loud! The book really gave you a great in site to Craigslist. What an enjoyable read, I highly recommend it.
July 18, 2012
Just ugh. There is a grammar error within the first three lines of the book. I gave it a page before the voice annoyed me so much I had to quit.
March 12, 2013
A great chick novel, read it in one sit in the train. Put me in a good mood also. The style is witty and funny.
October 20, 2013
I had fun reading this...wasn't actually sure what I'd find, but it showed me a life that made me appreciate mine.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews