"Once More With Feeling": Review and Playlist

Have you ever wondered: What would it be like if a pop star was dating the lead in a boy band who kind of sucked, but had a crush on one of his hotter, smarter bandmates? Don’t worry “Once more with feeling” addresses this question, while also addressing what it is like for women to chase a dream they thought was long gone. When I say, “You will not be disappointed by this read.” I can not emphasize it enough. I bought this book because I loved “Funny You Should Ask” by the same author. I also bought it because I needed a book to take to the beach. 

Beach books can be tricky. It needs to be entertaining, but also a book you don’t feel bad sticking in the sand, sun, or maybe even the ocean. All that to say: A beach book needs to be comfortable being roughed up and enjoyed under an umbrella in the warm sun. For this trip, I was only taking one book, and I knew I could count on my girl Elissa Sussman. I don’t think it’s in her DNA to write a book that is not honest, fabulous, and funny. Truly a triple-threat read. She grabs your attention within the first page, and I implore you to go ahead and turn your phone on ‘do not disturb’. You will not be able to focus on anything besides this book until you read it fully. A perfect rom-com read for the love month. Two things: This book is like a three out of five on the spice meter and light spoilers ahead! 

Let’s meet the cast. Kathleen Rosenberg a washed-up teen pop sensation with one more shot at eclipsing her previous pseudonym Katee Rose. She met her best friend Harriet at Camp Curtain Call. As two eager, competitive, and talented young girls, their friendship took off. While at camp, she also had the pleasure of meeting a man who would be a supernova in her life: Calvin Kirby. Supernovae are beautiful explosions that occur when stars die. An accurate way to describe Kirby and Rossenberg’s interactions in each other's lives. Let’s jump into the playlist. 

To kick it off, “Clothes That We Wore” by Daphne Eckman. The book itself travels in-between time. We see Kathleen the woman standing her ground and fighting for a chance to bring her gifts back to the stage. A stage that once shunned her for something that was mostly taken out of context. At the same time, we see Katee. A young girl who is willing to sacrifice bits of herself to achieve her dream: being on stage. “I guess nothing much changes but the clothes that we wore.” This line could not describe our heroine more. At the end of the day, the therapy sessions, journals, or years that have passed can only dull so much of a situation. This girl’s situation is not only crushing but upended her entire life and personhood. If you want to find out the exact situation I’m talking about, you will have to read the book itself. 

I know some of you had to have been thinking. “The Winner Takes it All” by Carla Bruni. I know. It’s perfect for this playlist. I think Kathleen would listen to this song in her bed fresh off the drama that ruined her early career. Either tears streaming down her face or curled up on her bed too overwhelmed for any tears to fall at all. Calvin. Calvin. Calvin. A supernova. Both Kirby and Rosenberg not only were in camp together, but they also toured together. Reintroduced to each other in teenhood by her boyfriend, the two became close. A little too close. After what happened at the last concert they ever did together, they stopped speaking. Her career continued to falter and fall. All the while, Kirby grew into an established producer. A producer who is deciding her fate in the role that was created for her. You really do need to read this book. The plot is so full. Robust even. Absolutely beautiful. 

This playlist would not be complete without “Peter” by Taylor Swift. You may think I am saying that Calvin is Peter. Wrong. Peter is so Kathleen. She was so young when she was trying to figure out the best way to navigate her situationship/friendship with Calvin. “Are you still a mind-reader, a natural scene-stealer?/I've heard great things”. Kirby and Rosenberg. Two artists that naturally flourish when near each other. Twin flames that seem to only be able to burn each other when too close. Watching him relearn and appreciate the woman she has become while affirming that he has always been there for her. Chefs kiss. Worth the miscommunication that we as the readers have to suffer through. If you can’t tell already, I loved this book. It is rich with character development, humor, heartache, and all the feelings that make reading a joy. You will not regret reading this book. As always, the playlist is attached here. Filled with songs that will break your heart and mend it all at once. 

My photo :)