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The Things We Tell Ourselves
When a young writer enters into an affair with a charming foreign correspondent, she has no idea that an uncharacteristic moment of spontaneity will change her life forever.
Twenty-two-year-old Georgina Park dreams of being a hard-hitting journalist, but to pay the bills she’s covering the red carpet for a celebrity magazine. Her world is turned upside down when a chance meeting with Simon Grant, an Australian TV reporter who is 20 years her senior—and married—leads to an intense, sexually charged relationship that continues even after he returns home to Sydney. But when some compromising photos from Georgina’s past come back to haunt her years later, it appears Simon is to blame. Now a prolific newspaper columnist and college instructor, Georgina must use her investigative reporting skills to save herself—and revisit the affair that started it all.
Set in Los Angeles, The Things We Tell Ourselves takes readers from the klieg lights of Hollywood to the dark corners of the Internet, exploring love, marriage and technology along the way. At its heart, the novel is a literary examination of the damage one generation can inflict on the next and the compromises we make between our ideals and life’s realities, between what we desire and doing the right thing.
“I lost sleep turning the pages of this book. The Things We Tell Ourselves starts with a deliciously steamy romance and turns into a fast-paced thriller, all the while exploring the complexities of love, morality, and how we react to loss. You won’t soon forget these characters.” - Tiffany Hawk, author of Love Me Anyway
Twenty-two-year-old Georgina Park dreams of being a hard-hitting journalist, but to pay the bills she’s covering the red carpet for a celebrity magazine. Her world is turned upside down when a chance meeting with Simon Grant, an Australian TV reporter who is 20 years her senior—and married—leads to an intense, sexually charged relationship that continues even after he returns home to Sydney. But when some compromising photos from Georgina’s past come back to haunt her years later, it appears Simon is to blame. Now a prolific newspaper columnist and college instructor, Georgina must use her investigative reporting skills to save herself—and revisit the affair that started it all.
Set in Los Angeles, The Things We Tell Ourselves takes readers from the klieg lights of Hollywood to the dark corners of the Internet, exploring love, marriage and technology along the way. At its heart, the novel is a literary examination of the damage one generation can inflict on the next and the compromises we make between our ideals and life’s realities, between what we desire and doing the right thing.
“I lost sleep turning the pages of this book. The Things We Tell Ourselves starts with a deliciously steamy romance and turns into a fast-paced thriller, all the while exploring the complexities of love, morality, and how we react to loss. You won’t soon forget these characters.” - Tiffany Hawk, author of Love Me Anyway
- GenresContemporaryFiction
335 pages, Paperback
First published July 21, 2015
4 people are currently reading
726 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Namkung
5 books89 followersVictoria Namkung is a Los Angeles-based author and journalist whose work is featured in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, NBC News, VICE, Washington Post, USA Today, and InStyle, among other publications. She's appeared at UNC Charlotte, LitFest Pasadena, Bad Advice From Bad Women, Mixed Remixed, and the Asian American Journalists Association, and on BBC World Report, SIRIUSXM, and That's Racist with Mike Epps. She's the author of the 2015 novel, The Things We Tell Ourselves (Standard Time Press), and These Violent Delights (Griffith Moon), published in the fall of 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 21, 2015
I really liked this one. I thought it was a good balance of a fun summer read with thoughtful writing. The love story in the beginning is nice, and I like the way it evolves into a bit of a mystery and then looks at some of Georgina's (and other characters') deeper issues. I found it fun and thought-provoking. Would be a good book club book.
August 25, 2015
The Things We Tell Ourselves has it all; sex, intrigue, philosophy, self-help, pop culture, surprising twists and turns, and ultimate catharsis. It could even double for a tour guide of Los Angeles and Orange County's hidden treasures! Victoria Namkung's crisp writing reads at times like the style section of a high end fashion magazine and at others like the gripping prose of a mysterious page turner (there's even some steamy bodice ripping worth perusing again). The topics addressed in the book are incredibly relevant given our predominantly technology based lives and dive deep into the ramifications of how we connect and communicate with each other, and how this can be both beneficial and alarming. I wouldn't be surprised to find this story on the silver screen soon!
October 27, 2016
I'm an unspeakably slow reader, however this book kept me sitting up in my seat and I finished it before my plane landed from Boston. I love the LA references, they reflect a true local's view and made me happy to come home.
October 14, 2015
Fun read. Interesting perspectives on relationships (romantic and otherwise) in the modern world.
September 27, 2015
I am glad to have received Ms. Namkung's book from a Goodread's Giveaway. In the beginning, I wondered if this was a good book for me but as I got into her plight, I really got going with this book.
I think the author did a very good job with keeping all the elements in the book together. There is a lot going on in this book and it would make a great book for book club discussion. She is a young girl caught up with the charm and sophistication of a married man. So many twists and turns. A few too many years spent on something that was never to be. But Georgina came through in the end and will one day find love. She weathered the shock and humiliation of seeing herself on the internet, along with all that occurs because of it. The intimidation and danger turned out to be a wake-up call for Georgina to set things straight. She was able to tell her friends and family what was going on and even went to therapy for for things in her present as well as her past.
So I guess this could be called "a coming of age" story, as well as an ongoing sexual encounter that defined her for a while, along with fast-paced internet crime in the background. At the end of the book, Georgina gets a letter from Simon's ex-wife and I loved that part of the book as well as Simon's final letter. Those letters were very touching and poignant. Ms. Namkung can write a well-done story and I will be looking for other books of hers in the future.
I think the author did a very good job with keeping all the elements in the book together. There is a lot going on in this book and it would make a great book for book club discussion. She is a young girl caught up with the charm and sophistication of a married man. So many twists and turns. A few too many years spent on something that was never to be. But Georgina came through in the end and will one day find love. She weathered the shock and humiliation of seeing herself on the internet, along with all that occurs because of it. The intimidation and danger turned out to be a wake-up call for Georgina to set things straight. She was able to tell her friends and family what was going on and even went to therapy for for things in her present as well as her past.
So I guess this could be called "a coming of age" story, as well as an ongoing sexual encounter that defined her for a while, along with fast-paced internet crime in the background. At the end of the book, Georgina gets a letter from Simon's ex-wife and I loved that part of the book as well as Simon's final letter. Those letters were very touching and poignant. Ms. Namkung can write a well-done story and I will be looking for other books of hers in the future.
September 30, 2015
I'll have to admit, I was initially skeptical of "The Things we Tell Ourselves" once I learned the novel was based in LA. I've had far too many experiences with novels that read like a travel guide, and although this book did have a few "Hollywood" moments, it was overall a very enjoyable read. Being a former LA resident, and being able to relate to such events as the horrific traffic jams when Obama came to town or the unfortunate Santa Monica College shooting, allowed me to relate to the very likable main character Georgina. This novel certainly took a few twists and turns that I was not expecting and keep me wanting more. Georgina's love affair with Simon, although not quite legit, was a romance that I was quite fond of and I was crushed by the outcome, (I might have shed a tear or two). I was actually quite sad to see the novel come to an end. I look forward to reading what Victoria Namkung dreams up next.
August 24, 2015
To me this is a wonderful love story with a number of unexpected twists and a masterful interweaving of the power of technology that allows us to connect for both good and for other outcomes.
As a middle aged male, I would not normally have read this book, but I met the author and was intrigued by her description of her novel. Part of the wonder of books is their ability to transport the reader to new perspectives and new worlds. Seeing the world through the eyes, heart, and thoughts of a young woman was fascinating and the author does a skillful job of making the lead character highly believable.
As a middle aged male, I would not normally have read this book, but I met the author and was intrigued by her description of her novel. Part of the wonder of books is their ability to transport the reader to new perspectives and new worlds. Seeing the world through the eyes, heart, and thoughts of a young woman was fascinating and the author does a skillful job of making the lead character highly believable.
August 25, 2015
Found this a sad and beautiful story. Georgina Park is a reporter working the red carpet to pay the bills in L.A. She meets an older man and is drawn into a torrid love affair knowing he is married with children. He is from Australia and will be going home one day. Later with him in one country and Georgina in this one is difficult to keep upb the relationship. In misjudgment she sends him compromising pics that come back to haunt her in later years. Loved this authors story telling and now have another favorite author. Thanx to Victoria Namkung and Goodreads.
August 29, 2015
This was a fun book to read. Something I would not have picked up except for my daughter's 5-star rating. It begins with behind the scenes red carpet nonsense and a sexy romance, but handily turns into a rather dark who-done-it thriller. Based in Los Angeles in this very modern age of technology, Namkung explores the pop culture, the ways we choose to communicate, and the numerous ways we can reveal and hide ourselves. The ending was a bit too tidy for my taste. But overall a fast, fun read.
June 17, 2016
I quite enjoyed reading this book (staying up late two nights in a row to finish it)! I'm impressed that this is Namkung's first novel. The exposition was a bit sluggish at times, but I rooted for the protagonist, and was invested in her story. The ending (as other's stated) was hopeful, but not totally tied up, which I appreciated. I look forward to future novels from this writer!
December 28, 2015
Victoria Namkung has created a debut novel full of intrigue and romance. The book reads as easily as an article in well-known magazine, but with themes that dive into relevant observations of present-day relationships. I found this to be a great summer read!
August 16, 2015
READ THIS! Namkung's novel is fun, fast-paced and delightful. I meant to read it on my upcoming vacation but flew through in one night; now what to read next? I love the local references and relatable tone! Five stars!
August 18, 2015
A fun read!
September 7, 2015
I picked this up for a bargain Kindle price of 99 cents and it still wasn't worth it. I cannot figure out why it's so highly rated here, and can only assume the multiple 5-star reviews are from supportive friends and family of the author. It's trite, predictable, and so jumpy I often thought I'd missed a page somehow. As a Southern California native, I found the constant name-dropping of local people, places, and events overdone. We get it, the author REALLY knows the region.
As for the protagonist, I just couldn't get on board with any part of her characterization. From her ridiculous complaining about her terrible job as a red carpet reporter to her justification for sleeping with a married man to her ascent from naive idiot to therapy to enlightenment, I just didn't care what happened to her. That it took me a week and a half to read is evidence that I sometimes couldn't even bring myself to pick it up.
In addition, there were just too many things crammed into the plot, and it felt like the author was grasping at too many sales hooks. Sexy stuff a la 50 Shades! Inappropriate photos leaked -- so current! A Hollywood insider who's just like us! Catfishy stuff a la recent viral news! (In fact, one plot point seemed ripped directly from a semi-recent local SoCal catfishing story). The book got interesting for about 5 minutes during some climactic events, but then spiraled right back into its simpering, predictable trajectory.
As for the protagonist, I just couldn't get on board with any part of her characterization. From her ridiculous complaining about her terrible job as a red carpet reporter to her justification for sleeping with a married man to her ascent from naive idiot to therapy to enlightenment, I just didn't care what happened to her. That it took me a week and a half to read is evidence that I sometimes couldn't even bring myself to pick it up.
In addition, there were just too many things crammed into the plot, and it felt like the author was grasping at too many sales hooks. Sexy stuff a la 50 Shades! Inappropriate photos leaked -- so current! A Hollywood insider who's just like us! Catfishy stuff a la recent viral news! (In fact, one plot point seemed ripped directly from a semi-recent local SoCal catfishing story). The book got interesting for about 5 minutes during some climactic events, but then spiraled right back into its simpering, predictable trajectory.
November 22, 2015
I usually read mysteries, but have a soft spot for novels about Southern California so when Things We Tell Ourselves was recommended I thought I'd give it a go. Namkung perfectly captures the SoCal lifestyle and, despite being a generation apart, I recognized many of the situations and locales. I had a foreboding that Georgina Park's older Australian lover would turn out to be bad news (too many mysteries). Fortunately for Park that wasn't the case (or a least he wasn't the perpetrator of the bad situation from her affair). I liked Park and I hope to meet up with her again. My only criticism is that Namkung made the wife of Park's lover much too understanding and that she let the cyber tormentor off too easily. A quick read, a perfect summertime book.
July 23, 2015
This book is juicy and it's turning out to be the best summer read.
I can't wait to finish it and when I'm done, I'll read it again. It seems there are far more people covering Hollywood's red carpet than walking it, and I've been waiting for someone to tell this story! Thankfully Victoria Namkung carries readers from behind the scenes to a deeply intriguing experience that feels as every bit as real as it actually could be. I have high hopes for Georgina Park but will admit the writer is making me sweat! Victoria's writing is deliciously chic and I'm enjoying every minute of it.
I can't wait to finish it and when I'm done, I'll read it again. It seems there are far more people covering Hollywood's red carpet than walking it, and I've been waiting for someone to tell this story! Thankfully Victoria Namkung carries readers from behind the scenes to a deeply intriguing experience that feels as every bit as real as it actually could be. I have high hopes for Georgina Park but will admit the writer is making me sweat! Victoria's writing is deliciously chic and I'm enjoying every minute of it.
April 18, 2016
This was a fun read. While it is not the genre I usually read, I really enjoyed the main character Georgina and the complexity of the relationships. I also liked the setting, living in LA myself, there was a lot to recognize, and many things made me smile. My favorite part was the ending. I'm often disappointed in endings, but the author was able to weave everything together in a beautiful way. She gave Georgina realizations that felt truly meaningful and left me feeling both content and thoughtful.
April 13, 2016
I wanted to like this more. However, I could never buy into the Simon relationship because -- not unreasonably given the book's title and the total, blind trust she seemed to place in him -- I was distracted by the other shoe that was obviously going to drop. Was he really a journalist? Why the sketchy car? Was he a total, scheming liar? The storyline evolved and ended well enough, but by that point I just wasn't vested in the two of them at all. Fun bits around LA though.
November 16, 2015
I received this as a goodreads giveaway.
The Things We Tell Ourselves is not in my genre of choice. I didn't expect to finish reading it in four days, so apparently Victoria Namkung did something right.
To me, the most confusing part was the timeline. It was hard to tell sometimes whether we'd jumped a few hours or a few days in a particular chapter. That's my only real complaint about the novel.
I'm a sucker for a great closing line, and this book totally nailed it for me.
The Things We Tell Ourselves is not in my genre of choice. I didn't expect to finish reading it in four days, so apparently Victoria Namkung did something right.
To me, the most confusing part was the timeline. It was hard to tell sometimes whether we'd jumped a few hours or a few days in a particular chapter. That's my only real complaint about the novel.
I'm a sucker for a great closing line, and this book totally nailed it for me.
April 9, 2016
I love when I "meet" characters that I wish were my friends. Georgina Park, the main character of Namkung's novel, is exactly that. A young, smart journalist navigating a career and her first brushes with love, the good, the bad and the forbidden, Georgina reminds me of my friends and I when we were in our twenties. Reading "The Things We Tell Ourselves" was like traveling back to that time - it was fun, exhilarating, unpredictable and ended way too quickly.
July 21, 2015
If you liked Gone Girl and Where'd You Go, Bernadette?, you'll definitely want to check out this fast-paced thriller that's also a love letter to Los Angeles. The combo of a smart and chic heroine plus a sexy plot makes this an ideal summer beach read!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews