I truly didn't know what to expect from Byron Lane's 'A Star is Bored,' only knowing that he had spent time as Carrie Fisher's assistant. I have to say, anyone who loves a glimpse at how the other half lives will be truly enthralled with this novel. Lane's depiction of life catering to the whims of those whose reality is so different from the masses is completely captivating. His moral dilemmas in working with an addict are both touching and honest, and his love of Fisher shines through the pages. I had no idea how heartfelt this novel would be, and I think that Lane did an exemplary job in conveying the highs and lows of having it all.

I thought I would like this book more than I did. It is about an assistant to a celebrity/addict named Kathi Kannon. She's definitely an oddball and b/c the author once worked for Carrie Fisher and it was hard for me to separate the two.

This book was only okay for me.

Byron Lane's debut seems more memoir than fiction as he acknowledges his novel draws from his time as Carrie Fisher's personal assistant. His experience really makes the story authentic and realistic (he makes it easy to believe all those crazy things happened!). In addition, his writing is sharp, dialogue clever, and pacing perfect. It may seem to start out slowly as the main character, Charlie, struggles with self-destructive and suicidal tendencies and reflects on a difficult, sometimes heart wrenching childhood, however, it gives context why he would seek out someone to nurture in substitute mother figure/employer/idol (Kathi). You'll find it entertaining if you enjoy pop culture, Hollywood and celebrity dish and/or reading an authentic and raw account of two damaged souls who become devoted to one another as they try to navigate the messiness of life. He captured dealing with mental illness and addiction with compassion. I would definitely look forward to reading more of Lane's witty, irreverent work. So much of his approach is unique and fresh like his interpretations of his therapist's (Therapista!) advice, his countless pithy comments (e.g., Hey Siri...) and many others. Thanks to #NetGalley for this preview copy!

This is a hilarious novel influenced by the authors time as Carrie Fisher’s assistant. It’s dishy and the name drops are a fun behind the scenes look into Hollywood. It’s a wild, funny, emotional, honest love letter to the late actress and the time they spent together.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved how the narrator expressed emotion and he really seemed to be learning how to respond to rejection and love in his personal life through learning how to do his job as an assistant. His experience with dating were too relatable—getting attached too quickly, going on a date with someone from an online dating profile just to go on a date, etc. overall, a very interesting read. I was cheering for him when he finally left the assistant position. I like how the chapters were broken down and how true the narrator’s voice was.

Not so long ago, in a galaxy not too far away, author Byron Lane worked as Carrie Fisher's assistant, and some of that experience inspired his sparkling first novel, A Star Is Bored.

The story opens with Charlie, an insecure young man desperate to escape a career rut, arriving at movie star Kathi Kannon's mansion to interview for a job as her personal assistant. She opens her own door and asks if he's there for a colonic. Seeing his horrified expression, she says she's acting and "just f*cking with you." So begins their capricious relationship as employer-employee and, eventually, friends and confidants.

Charlie navigates the ups and downs of bipolar disorder with Kathi, travels with her, shares stories about his abusive dad--establishing a bond with the actress he's idolized since childhood (he had her Priestess Talara action figure from the epic film Nova Quest). The two laugh and cry together, fight and make up, in brutally candid ways only people who deeply care for each other can do.

Though Kathi is fictional, Lane gives her witticisms one can easily hear Fisher say, and Kathi is so vibrant she'll make fans miss the late Star Wars actress even more. Lane also captures the absurdities of being a celebrity assistant and the interactions within the network of PAs. Charlie's attitude about another assistant is: "I resent him, I abhor him, I friended him on Facebook."

Life with Kathi is unpredictable and at times demanding, but in her light Charlie blooms. Likewise, by the time the story reaches its lovely, bittersweet ending, it's clear Lane's star is on the rise.

I thought this was sweet and entertaining, but it definitely wasn't the kind of book that I usually read. I was interested and inspired by the fact that this was written from Lane's experience as Carrie Fisher's assistant but it wasn't quite enough to make me enjoy the book as much as I hoped. It was hard to relate to Kathi, and the author's style of writing grated on me at times. "Fun" is a the word that about sums it up for me.

The author was a personal assistant to Carrey this novel is based on their relationship And the special bond they formed.Im sure taking care of a high strung actres with addiction problems can not be easy .The author writes at times hilariously& at times emotionally. this a very entertaining novel and I wil be looking forward to more by this author.#netgalley #Astarisbored

Thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of ‘ A Star is Bored’.
Byron Lane (personal assistant to the late Carrie Fisher) has written a funny, heartfelt novel that in many ways is a love letter to her.
We open with Charlie Besson sitting in his idling car outside of the Hollywood home of Kathi Kannon, award winning movie actress (Priestess Telara), a member of Hollywood royalty and often, star of tabloid fodder. An interview awaits him behind mansion walls. Kathi needs a personal assistant and Charlie gets the job. Overnight his life changes. Ironically, Charlie and Kathi are dealing with their own personal demons. Charlie hating the father who never understood him, hating the men that he has had sexual relationships with and Kathi, needy, erratic, pill popping and a harm to her reputation and herself.
Over time and may questions and conversations, a friendship begins. Often funny, tender and sometimes tragic Charlie and Kathi reveal the dimensions of their character, flaws and all.
The author has captured the essence of Carrie Fisher and one cannot help but hear her speaking Kathi’s lines in the book. That is a testament to Byron Lane.
I laughed and I cried and congratulate Byron for bringing Carrie/Kathi to the reader if only for a little while. It was an interesting path to follow.
This is a very recommended read.

A Star is Bored is unlike any book I’ve ever read before. It is a story of fame, fortune, isolation, and addiction, with the silver lining of finding family where you’d least expect it. Overall a cute yet quirky story featuring cute yet quirky characters that you can’t help but root for. This wasn’t a book I’d normally pick up, but I’m really glad I did. Thank you for the arc in exchange for my honest review!

*** I received a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for a fair review.***

So everyone is saying the author of this book, although he swears it's fiction, was once Carrie Fisher's assistant. To me this information is neither here nor there. I just didn't find the story to meet my expectations. We get glimpses into the life of an aging star, riddled with issues through the eyes of her latest, "stars in their eyes" assistant. Truth be told, I pictured Catherine O'Hara as the quirky Kathi Kannon. One problem is their relationship didn't really grab me. I wanted to see more of their day to day interactions instead of sweeping montages and sound bites that eluded to their progressing partnership. In the beginning I chuckled a bit, but I found the story finding itself far funnier than it actually was. In reality, all of the characters were varying levels of co-dependent messes, which somehow makes the reader feel guilty for laughing at all. In the end it tries to redeem itself a bit, but somehow the wrap up came off feeling forced rather than final.

I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did – some aspects were clever and delightful (the characterization of Kathi was really excellent and heartfelt), but the narrative voice was so grating and irritating throughout that reading it often felt like a chore. Probably just not for me – I may not be the right audience for this 'chick-lit-esque' genre.

First, a special thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of A Star Is Bored by Byron Lane.

Now, for my review.

So I thought this book was a heartfelt gem, and yet another perfect late summer read.

A Star Is Bored tells the story about Charlie, a youngish man with a seemingly unlimited amount of love to give despite his traumatic upbringing, and Kathi Kannon, the legendary superstar of his boyhood dreams.

He's miserable at his newsroom job when he's presented with the opportunity to work as a personal assistant to Kathi. Of course, he gets the job. If he didn't, the book would be rather short, wouldn't it?

Anyway, the two of them embark on an incredible journey while Charlie tries to "find himself" through the lens of her unconventional world.

First thoughts when I started reading: This book is funny, but not the hilarious tale I imagined. I recognized the parts that were supposed to be funny in a dry, sarcastic way, but they didn't always hit.

As I read, I started to appreciate Lane's comedic styling as he told this charming "love story" of two people searching for themselves in each other and embraced it as a part of the reading experience.

One thing that jumped out to me: Charlie loves Kathi. A lot. Probably more than she loves him, and it makes sense since he kind of knew her longer. He grew up with her as "Priestess Talara," the character that made her, and the one that defined an integral part of his childhood.

As you can imagine, working for her means he has to reconcile the Priestess and the woman behind her, and I love how that naturally unfolds throughout the story.

Overall, expect to fall in love with the characters. From the leading cast to the supporting roles, you'll find yourself rooting for everyone to win. But especially Charlie.

A Star is Bored by Byron Lane is about Charlie, the assistant to film star Kathi Kannon. Lane was assistant to Carrie Fisher, so this story is inspired by his time with her. Charlie and Kathi end up with more of a bond than either expected, and this book is an absolute delight to read. Lane is a beautiful writer and does a tremendous job with Charlie and Kathi's characters and their journey. Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

I requested this book through NetGalley because Byron Lane was Carrie Fisher's assistant, and if he was good enough for her, I thought he would be good enough for me. And he was, for the most part.

This book will both make you laugh so hard you get a stomach cramp and weep like Sally Field in the Steel Magnolias funeral scene. Of course you will find yourself wondering where Carrie Fisher ends and the fictional Kathi Kannon begins. Byron Lane tells you straight off that this is fiction and you shouldn't think Carrie is Kathi, yet similarities abound: Kathi starred in a popular science fiction trilogy that is resurrected two decades later, she struggles with addiction, and her famous actress mother lives next door to her. It makes you wonder how much Byron Lane has in common with Charlie, the book's narrator.

I loved the throwaway lines (Tom Cruise has a restraining order out against Kathi, who sends him a sex toy for his birthday), and I loved watching Kathi and Charlie's friendship evolve. As nutty (and tragic) as Kathi is, though, you want to be her friend. I can't say I would like to have Charlie's job, but I'd sure like to be invited to some of Kathi's parties.

Charlie belongs to a group of Hollywood personal assistants, and I enjoyed those scenes, too. You also go with him on his romantic journey as he tries to find Mr. Right. (In one relationship, Charlie was surprisingly unable to read the very clear writing on the wall.) And you travel around the world with him and Kathi, which exhausts you as much as it does Charlie.

I enjoyed this book a great deal. Did I picture Carrie Fisher as I read it? Yes. Did my heart break, thinking about what happened to her? Yes. But did Byron Lane make me appreciate the time we had with her? Oh, yes.

The audiobook is solid. Noah Galvin's narration is perfectly paced, and he knows how to read a joke. Bless him.

This book was funny, honest and ardent. I can't believe how much I laughed reading this novel. It was exactly what I needed after all the thrillers I've read. And who couldn't use a good belly laugh right now!?

Byron Lane writes with such passion and from the heart. I felt like I was reading a memoir instead of fiction. I know the book isn't really based on his life as being Carrie Fishers personal assistant, but he did such a great job making it feel real. I could imagine all the characters very clearly.

Even though this book is lighthearted it tackles some serious issues like self esteem, abusive parents, mental health, addiction. But I love the author's way of making it seem normal...everyone has issues they're dealing with and we should be able to talk about them openly and honestly. We should be able to laugh at ourselves. That's what I am taking away from this novel.

Don’t make any mistakes, this excellent book is about the desperate and pointless work of loving and helping an addict. The hook about the main character (Kathi) being based on late actress Carrie Fisher is completely unrelated to the value of the book, which is well written, moving, and an accomplishment in its own right. My only quibble is the overuse (for me) of the Siri/Therapsita/Assistant Bible tropes…really even one of these grows old quickly. Excellent work includes positioning the Kathi character as a mother figure to the narrator and an unexpectedly tender growth in his relationship with his aging father

I didn’t hate it, but I sure didn’t love it. I went into in thinking it was gonna be laugh out loud funny and at best it was slight giggle funny and at worst it was straight up trashy. Although it was a quick read and I’m sure lots of people will enjoy it, Kathi Kannon and her life was not really for me.

Readers, I loved it! A STAR IS BORED is inspired by the author’s years working as a personal assistant for Carrie Fisher. It’s got that juicy look behind celebrity closed doors that will have you wondering what happened in real life to inspire the book. Even better, it’s a perfect blend of humor and heart.

Charlie is working a job he hates and often contemplates suicide when he gets the job as a personal assistant to Kathi Kannon. She is a mega star living in a world all her own- she makes the rules and doesn’t give a shit what goes around around her. Charlie quickly gets sucked into her orbit and tries to create some order into her life. Between spontaneous trips across the world to making sure the boss takes her pills everyday, Charlie begins to live for his job and loses his sense of self. Eventually, his boss’s struggle with addiction takes its toll on them all and a disastrous trip has him wondering if his “grade A” performance is hurting both of them.

The dialogue was hilarious and the characters felt so real. I was genuinely sad when this was over. If you’re looking for some smart brain candy, I can’t recommend this enough.

Charlie Besson is tired. He works as an overnight news writer, and he’s tired of it. And he’s tired. And he’s tired of watching other people have lives while he sleeps all day and works all night. He wants something a little more . . . normal. So when an acquaintance mentions a job opening for a personal assistant to a celebrity, he jumps at the chance. Especially since it’s Kathi Kannon, actor, writer, daughter of Hollywood icons, and sci-fi icon Priestess Talara from NovaQuest.

Charlie loved his Priestess Talara action figure as a kid, taking it with him everywhere, until his father got fed up and took it away from him. But now Charlie has the chance to make it all right again, by helping the woman herself with—what exactly does a personal assistant do, anyway?

And then he goes to her house to meet her. There are irreverent signs on her front gate, unorthodox sculptures in her yard, fires burning in the fireplaces in summer, a cook in her ‘80s who has a brain tumor, a groundskeeper who barely works and may live in her shed, rooms full of color and art and collectibles and photos. It’s chaos everywhere. Charlie looks at all this, meets the bipolar, wisecracking, recovering addict herself, and he can’t help but beg the universe for the chance to be a part of it all.

What follows is a crazy ride as Kathi’s assistant. There were texts and calls from celebrities, and errands like fetching her phone from the bathroom at Barney’s. Charlie organized her medications and her socks, picked up the jewelry she left on the floor, and collected the weekly “vegetable money” from her mother Miss Gracie. He took her to doctor’s appointments, got her shoes fixed, and reassured her that yes, she does like cilantro. But most of all, he saw her. He saw her at her best and at her worst, and he loved her still.

The worlds of celebrity and celebrity assistants come together in A Star Is Bored. The curtain is pulled back on it all, and the show is so much better when you get this kind of access. Author Byron Lane knows what he’s writing about. As a former assistant to Carrie Fisher, Lane writes this with confidence and specificity, so you have to wonder how much is truth and how much is fiction.

If you’re worried about it turning into a tawdry tell-all about one of Hollywood’s favorite famous families, rest easy. This is nothing less than a love letter to our beloved Princess Leia and her star power, her charisma, her intelligence, her humor, and her spirit. I expected to be entertained by this book (and I was!). I didn’t expect to be so incredibly moved by it (but I was!). A Star Is Bored is a powerful look inside Hollywood, inside mental illness, and inside the kind of friendship that just doesn’t come along every day. Very highly recommended!

Egalleys for A Star Is Bored were provided by Henry Holt & Company through NetGalley, with many thanks.