Seldom do I truly feel heartbreak with periods of laughter strewn between. Lane gives us a peak at a fantasy world of celebrities, wealth, power before pealing back the layers. The famous are people too, fighting their own fights, albeit with more resources. As we take the journey with Charlie, we see the ways in which the lives of the rich and famous collide with our own and where the clear divides are located. A tender book, A Star Is Bored is a quick read that packs a punch.

I was intrigued by a novel written by a former celebrity assistant that was compared to Postcards from the Edge. It does have a similar snappy style that makes it a great summer read. I enjoyed the well-described observations of the quirkiness all around. I really liked Charlie and seeing his confidence and happiness grow through the years. I especially liked how the book ends similarly to how it opens. I liked the symmetry and the little bit of order it restored to a very chaotic existence.

<i>I'm thinking</i> this dialogue makes me wonder if Carrie Fisher ever guest starred on Gilmore Girls
<i>I'm thinking</i> this main character is very likeable
<i>I'm thinking</i> this book just went on for too long.

Hey Siri add this book to peoples' beach bags.

Thanks to #partner @NetGalley for the digital ARC of Byron Lane's A Star Is Bored in exchange for an honest review. The book will be published on Tuesday, July 28.

Byron Lane’s fictional A Star Is Bored details the relationship between fabulous film star Kathi Kannon, daughter of Hollywood royalty, and her assistant, Charlie Besson (our protagonist). I pictured Carrie Fisher in every scene between Kathi and Charlie. But ultimately, that mental casting doesn't matter because the book, at its heart, is about Charlie. (I will admit that, the minute I finished the book, I headed to Google to see: was author Byron Lane really Carrie Fisher's assistant? And the answer is yes. It doesn't *truly* matter because the world he created, and the people within it, are real enough to stand on their own. But I also wanted to know.)

Charlie is depressed and adrift, anchorless after the death of his mother when he was 12 and his father's constant verbal abuse. Charlie's memory is haunted by attacks from his father's attempts to shame and scream Charlie into denying his homosexuality. Miserable in a job writing nightly news updates, Charlie jumps at the chance to interview with Kathi Kannon, who is looking for a new assistant.

From the moment Charlie enters through the gate of her mansion, he is swept into a world where he is running slightly behind, off kilter in the face of Kathi's bizarre requests, brilliant and playful and crass language (she calls him Cockring through the entire book), and expectation that HE should know what to do. I felt a sense of dread in those early moments of their relationship because it's so clear that Charlie has no idea what he should be doing and is ill prepared for the force that is Kathi's will. But Charlie soon resolves to be a good assistant, to figure out what he needs to do, to carve out the best way to take care of Kathi.

Ever-present through the novel is Charlie's awareness of Kathi's drug addiction and the disapproving, yet supportive enabling of Kathi's famous mother, Miss Gracie, who lives on the same estate. In Miss Gracie's assistant, Roger, Charlie sees a potential future, one in which he is inseparable from Kathi, both elevated and doomed by his willingness to sacrifice his autonomy to her glamour and charisma, her Shine, as she calls it.

The book is funny and sad and hopeful and beautiful. There are times that it's almost painful to read--there's some secondhand embarrassment, but there's also a sense of fear when we as readers can see Kathi's path, while Charlie is in denial. I enjoyed the entire book, but the last third, which is so, so tender, made A Star Is Bored a triumph for me.

DNF this title. I can get behind a quirky character but the combo in this book was too much for me. Just didn't hold my interest. Purchased based on positive reviews but I don't know who I would recommend this to.

I loved this sweet, fictionalized story by Carrie Fisher’s former assistant about....a personal assistant to an actress famous for playing a space princess. (Who could THAT be?)Although the publisher’s note makes sure to tell us it is all a work of fiction, I clearly heard Carrie Fisher’s unique and wacky voice in every bit of Kathi’s dialogue. The book shows, with humor and sentiment and some sadness, what it is like to be almost a family member to a very effervescent, very talented and very drug-addicted celebrity. The assistant Charlie (nicknamed “Cockring” by Carrie, I mean Kathi) clearly loves Kathi and tried to save her life. As her assistant, he was responsible for keeping her afloat in almost her every waking moment. This book hurts the heart a little extra when you read all of Charlie’s efforts to save “Kathi” from dying of drug addiction, when we now know Carrie Fisher died that way. This begins as a light and humorous memoir but evolves into something deeper with a lot of heart. Very much recommend.

Thanks very much to NetGalley, Henry Holt, and Cockr....uh, Byron Lane for the ARC of this entertaining, alternately heartwarming and heartbreaking read in exchange for my honest review.

This is really fun! It is an inside look at Hollywood friendships and romances, and it feels so real, I think, because the author was once an assistant to the late, great Carrie Fisher. I look forward to recommending this to readers who enjoy some glamor and glitz with their romance.

A Star Is Bored is an endearing story about the assistant to a spoiled celebrity, and I thoroughly enjoyed every page of it. I couldn't put this book down! The high and lows, the humor and heartbreak - this book has it all. Definitely a #MustRead

Fantastic read, start to finish. I always love a debut novel that grips my attention and makes me want to read more. As the end grew closer, I actually didn't want to reach the last page because I wanted it to last longer. This book is a little bit of everything you look for. Lots of laughs, lots of touching moments and some deep meaning.

A Star is Bored is the story of Charlie, who is the personal assistant to Kathi Kannon (a famous Hollywood movie star)
This book has the funny moments you would expect to hear about as the life of a personal assistant, as well as the unexpected friendships and relationships the role creates for Charlie.

While Byron Lane mentions several times this is simply influenced by his time as Carrie Fisher's personal assistant there are very clear parallels that beg the question how much of this is simply autobiographical? It's definitely clear that Byron has experienced a lot of what he's talking about and the rich detail is "A Star is Bored" is one of the things I liked about it.

I wouldn't say it's riotously funny or incredibly witty, but it has a very low key charming quality throughout. I loved the character of Charlie Besson and I was rooting throughout for his growth and for him to overcome his childhood trauma. Some of the banter in the book involving his character is also top notch. So you may be wondering why I'm giving it a three stars if my review is so glowing? Well I really disliked Kathi Kannon.

Kathi is a spoiled rich celebrity and some of her behavior in the book is simply awful to Charlie and others. So I couldn't really understand the magnetism or "shine" that keeps drawing people into her orbit. Charlie is a very codependent personality type so you can understand why he is attracted to this, but are the rest simply doing it for money? Celebrities can get away with a lot so I'm sure this is a realistic depiction but it just felt tedious and far fetched at times.

Overall though it's a fast paced and fairly enjoyable read with some rather poignant moments.

A Star is Bored is a novel that claims to be "influenced in part by the author’s time assisting Carrie Fisher." But, to be clear, it seems almost wholly based on the author's experience as Carrie Fisher's assistant. I didn't know this before reading, so when I started and met Kathi Kannon and Gracie Gold, I was struck by just how numerous the similarities were.

If you've seen the excellent documentary Bright Lights, about Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, the book will feel exceedingly familiar to you. The weird and wonderful estate on which both Kathi and Gracie live is rendered vividly, in all its quirky glory. So too are the distinct personalities of Kathi and Gracie: Gracie with Reynolds' quiet strength and empathy and Kathi with Fisher's wit and crass humor. I enjoyed 'meeting' the actresses through this novel, but after learning about the author's history as Fisher's assistant, I wondered why he didn't simply write this book as a memoir rather than fiction.

In an interview with Broadway World UK, the author said, "The novel is fiction, so it's not about Carrie." But the similarities are obvious, particularly with regard to Kathi's mental illness. Kathi's drug abuse and spells of mania mirror Fisher's well-documented trouble with addiction and her life with bipolar disorder. Even Fisher's beloved emotional support dog, Gary, appears in this book as Roy. The parallels are impossible to deny.

So when does this go from 'taking inspiration' from real life to exploiting the lives of dead women under the guise of fiction? In a way, I almost feel cheated or betrayed--why deny what's obvious, and why try to sell it as the story of someone else? Maybe the author felt it was easier to distance himself from the subject by calling it fiction, or maybe there are legal reasons--who knows. Personally, I would have preferred this story told as memoir, with the truth not obfuscated by layers of ultimately transparent misdirection. It's clear that Fisher and Reynolds meant a lot to the author, based on the few interviews I've read. I wish he would have done them the service of telling this story in their names, love and warts and all, in the most personal kind of memorial.

In A Star is Bored, Byron Lane gives the readers an inside look into what the private life of a hot-shot celebrity could look like when all cameras and lights are off. It was inspired by the author’s time working as a personal assistant for Carrie Fisher and even though the novel itself is a work of fiction, it was impossible for me not to picture Carrie Fisher as the ‘bored star’, which gave my reading experience even more dimensions than ‘just fiction’, as I am sure it will for you, too.

A Star is Bored is essentially about Charlie Besson, who recalls the years he spent working as a personal assistant for Hollywood legend, Kathi Kannon, an actress who is just as well known for her role as a princess in a science fiction franchise as for previous drug abuse, mental health issues, and general ‘craziness’.

When Charlie first arrives at Kathi‘s gate for his job interview and glances inside her estate for the first time, he thinks: “It looks like a carnival. It looks like an acid trip. It looks like heaven.”

And that is exactly what can be expected from this book. The ups and downs of trying to hold a television job he hates, the exciting new job opportunity to work for one of his childhood heroes, and the job interview itself are just the beginning of a whirlwind of emotions.

I was immediately sucked into Charlie’s life and felt with and for him, as he tried to navigate his late 20s in LA, where he thought he would live out his big dream but got stuck on the night shift, writing reports for a news show on TV. He is still mourning for his mother, who died when he was a child and is still dealing with the aftermath of the trauma his father gave him throughout his childhood by constantly shouting at him and condemning his sexuality.

The moment Charlie starts working as Kathi’s assistant, their lives intertwine and by that I mean: Kathi can’t seem to cope without Charlie and Kathi becomes the sun Charlie circles around. Even in his off hours, he mostly talks about her, especially since his new-found inner circle only consists of personal assistants, who rant about their bosses as much as they revel in their spotlight. But even when he is asked on a date with someone outside of the scene what his passion is, he replies: “I work for Kathi Kannon”, which is a perfect portrayal of how deep his devotion to his boss turned friend turned mother figure really is. But most of all, Charlie seems to feel accepted for the first time in his life by this quirky woman who is just crazy enough to make him feel safe.

The two of them grow closer over the years as they go on holiday together, make it through Kathi’s manic episodes and spend more time together in each other’s proximity as they do with any other person. That is, until Kathi falls back into her old drug habits and puts Charlie in a tight spot. Does he stay and watch Kathi destroy herself? Is he going to let himself be called an enabler by all the other personal assistants? Or is he going to start taking care of himself first for a change?

Lane’s writing is lighthearted and charming, despite the multiple serious topics this book depicts. He writes with humour without taking importance away from serious matters, which made this an amazing reading experience. His writing let me feel sadness and desperation and the brokenness within characters, just as much as the awkward and funny moments at which I would laugh out loud while reading.

A Star is Bored is as much heartbreaking as it is hopeful and just as tragic as it is funny. This is a book for everyone. Everyone who ever felt lost, who ever felt too scared to make a change, or to take a chance. Everyone who has ever loved, ever lost, and who needs a reminder that underneath it all, we are all the same.

If you have watched a star meltdown on the internet, you have a idea of the life of Charlie. Kathi Kannon a spoiled too rich too soon star,has all the usual suspects. A mom who has a selective memory when it come to where the money her daughter makes has gone. Charlie interviews for the job of her assistant, a twenty four hour job that is both menial and at times humiliating. I felt for Charlie from the beginning where it was clear this woman was anxious and tyrannical at the same time. As Charlie begins to take advice from other assistants over drinks it become clear that everyone uses everyone. It can be sad at times but Charlie learns a few hard lessons that helps him move to a better life.

rarely laugh out loud when I am reading a book but this was a rare story that had me laughing starting from the beginning. *
Charlie’s life is anything but perfect. His mom passed away years ago, his dad has a kidney tumor, he is semi-suicidal and his night shift job of writing for a news show sucks! Between one night stands and feeling disconnected with the world, Charlie has been contemplating suicide for some time. That is until we gets a new “lifestyle” (job) working for the world famous actress Kathi Kannon, known for her role as the princess on the iconic sci-fi film (an obvious connection to Byron’s own history of being the personal assistant to the one and only Carrie Fisher). Kathi completely changes Charlie’s outlook on life and opportunity. Kathi’s antics are cringe worthy at times but had me laughing and shaking my head throughout this read!! *
I felt totally immersed in the lives of Charlie and Kathi, and found their growing relationship heartwarming and hilarious. It’s cool to wonder how much of this book is based on Lane’s experience being Fisher’s assistant and how much is completely fictional! *
This book seems like the perfect anthem to Carrie Fisher’s life and a nice shout out to a life long friend. *
While at times this book had me cringing at some of Kathi’s ridiculous behavior (calling Charlie “cockring”) I couldn’t help but fall in love with this story. *
Tap tap tap fizz fizz crackle.
Naming furniture after ancient Chinese emperors
Living room as opposed to dying room. * thank you @netgalley and @henryholtbooks for this ARC!! *

I want to thank NetGalley, Henry Holt & Company, and author Bryon Lane for providing me with an ARC of this novel!

A Star Is Bored was truly a sweet treat to read. We follow main character Charlie on a journey of self-love and self-discovery. He finds himself becoming the assistant to celebrity Kathi Kannon, a star of stage and screen. This job offer opens to him a whole new world, one filled with friendship and many choices.

This to me was a beautiful story of love and loss, acceptance, and finding yourself and the power you hold within yourself. This was a light read that will warm your heart and soul. If you need something uplifting and like a small getaway, pick this up. You won’t be disappointed!

Thank you to those named above for allowing me to read and review this novel!

This was not my cup of tea but it’s very well written and snappy in wit and pace.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I tried to read this, but I didn't finish it. It was trying to be funny, but it just wasn't. I couldn't convince myself to keep reading.

Byron Lane's debut novel, A Star is Bored, is a funny and poignant look into the life of a celebrity’s personal assistant.

Charlie hates his life. He hates his job as a news writer working the graveyard shift, he hates his father, he even hates the men he’s been having unsafe sex with. He’s entertained suicide but he lacks concrete plans and follow-through.

But his life changes with the zaniest job interview of his life, to be the personal assistant to Kathi Kannon, iconic star of a classic sci-fi movie, best-selling author, and member of Hollywood royalty—her mother, famed actress Gracie Gold, lives on her estate. Kathi is also a (sometimes recovering) drug addict who has manic episodes.

The job becomes all-consuming for Charlie, a stressful yet immensely satisfying adventure once he gets the hang of it. Kathi is needy and demanding and erratic and is, at times, a danger to herself and her reputation, but she truly cares about Charlie and helps him find his self-esteem.

Between spontaneous trips to go see the aurora borealis and rescuing her from embarrassing faux pas with other celebs, Charlie gets immersed in the world of the celebrity assistant, learning the summits and pitfalls that his compatriots have experienced.

When you spend your whole life propping someone up and being at their beck and call, when do you live? Are your needs ever front and center? Charlie has to decide what path he should take in order to find real satisfaction.

This is a zany, wild, heartfelt book. Byron Lane was Carrie Fisher’s assistant so you know he knows of what he writes—and you can’t help but wonder just how much of Kathi’s behavior was inspired by true events. (I adored Carrie Fisher so I was hooked.)

After a while, Kathi’s manic nature gets a little hard to take, but that’s when the heart of the book kicked in. This was a fun read if you’re a fan of the crazy lives of celebrities.

NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company provided an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making it available!

The book publishes July 28.

A Star is Bored is a bittersweet story of love and loyalty between friends. It's a story of self-discovery and growth. And, in my personal opinion, it's a love letter to Carrie Fisher. I hope Lane writes more books soon. I highly recommend!

Mostly Very Funny, But Sometimes Very Tedious

The problem with a roman a clef is that if you like parts and are annoyed by parts you don't know whether to praise/blame the real people it's based on or the author or the author's "fictional" characters. The author, Byron Lane, was Carrie Fisher's personal assistant. That relationship is basically what the book is about, or is built around. The book is told in the first person by Kathi Kannon's personal assistant, Charlie; Kannon is obviously modeled on Fisher. So far so good. One assumes that the narrator, Charlie, is modeled to some degree on Lane. Not so good.

The character Kathy Kannon is smart, funny, lonely, unpredictable, eccentric in the extreme, perceptive, good hearted, irreverent, complex, and pretty much everything you would want in a fictional heroine, and everything you suspect or hope the delightful and complex Carrie Fisher was. Whenever she is on the page the book lights up. The Charlie character may or may not be closely based on the author Byron Lane. I don't know Byron Lane from Adam, although his bio and credits suggest he's an accomplished writer/actor/playwright. Not to put too fine a point on it, but Charlie, Lane's avatar/fictional roman a clef self, spends most of the book as a whinging, overly dramatic, self-obsessed, sad sack. When he is on the page we get neurosis, childhood pain, and an almost perversely prideful celebration of his own lameness.

So, what do you do with that? On the one hand almost everything the Kannon character does and says is gold. Set pieces about L.A., the "business", being a personal assistant, celebrity lifestyle, and so on, is edgy and sharp. But pretty much everything about Charlie is tedious. If Lane can write Kannon as well as he did then Lane wrote Charlie the way he did on purpose. Why? I don't know. I guess you could insert some generational stereotyping and trash talk here, but what's the point. For what it's worth I ended up just reading all of the Kannon parts, read everything with secondary characters, skimmed Charlie's mopey tales of woe, and generally enjoyed myself. Maybe that's enough. Because Kannon is a marvelous character.

(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)