Monday, May 28, 2012

Review: Spin by Catherine McKenzie

Spin
Author: Catherine McKenzie
Published: December 29, 2009
Genre: chick lit
Paperback: 424 pages
Source: borrowed from the library


My Rating: 3.5 stars


Synopsis (from GoodReads): Katie Sandford has just gotten an interview at her favourite music magazine, The Line. It's the chance of a lifetime. So what does she do? Goes out to celebrate - and shows up still drunk at the interview. No surprise, she doesn't get the job, but the folks at The Line think she might be perfect for another assignment for their sister gossip rag. All Katie has to do is follow It Girl Amber Sheppard into rehab. If she can get the inside scoop (and complete the 30-day program without getting kicked out), they'll reconsider her for the job at The Line. Katie takes the job. But things get complicated when real friendships develop, a cute celebrity handler named Henry gets involved, and Katie begins to realize she may be in rehab for a reason. Katie has to make a decision -- is publishing the article worth everything she has to lose?


My Thoughts: I picked up this book mostly because of the cover. I know, it's pretty shallow. But I read the description and thought it might be okay, but it was the cover that made me decide to read this book. And while not a literary masterpiece, it was still a pretty good read and one that makes me want to read more of Catherine McKenzie's work in the future. McKenzie's novel follows Katie, a writer who wants to land her dream job but manages to screw it up. When she is given a second chance but must enter rehab for 30 days, she decides to give it a shot. Although she doesn't consider herself an alcoholic, Katie realizes that maybe she needs to change her lifestyle in order to get that dream job that she's always wanted. She makes a few new friends during her time in rehab and comes to grips with who she is as a person. You definitely see the change occurring in Katie's life as you read the book, and you can't help but cheer her on as she makes changes to better herself as a person.


While following the typical chick lit storyline (girl meets guy, falls in love, ends up with guy), it was all of the changes occurring in her life that made me want to read this book, not the romance. Katie grows as a person, and you can't help but be happy for her. I do wish that the writing was a little stronger at points (just reminded me of a YA novel with the simplicity of the writing), but it was still an enjoyable read. As I said before, I will definitely be looking for more of McKenzie's work in the future!

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