Jessica Stanley, a London-based Australian author known for her romantic comedy 'Consider Yourself Kissed,' dives into the intricacies of love and identity. She discusses how our bookshelves reflect our personal journeys and emotional lives. Jessica shares her insights on the realities of modern romance, the impact of cultural identity, and the challenges of being an outsider. The conversation also highlights the transformative power of reading, illustrating how literature can shape relationships and perspectives.
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insights INSIGHT
Romance Beyond Meet-Cute
Jessica Stanley's novel explores life after the initial romance, focusing on the realistic, ongoing aspects of relationships.
She treats everyday life with grace and wit, making the mundane romantic and meaningful.
insights INSIGHT
Bookshelves as Personal Reflections
Jessica Stanley is interested in what people read but avoids judging their bookshelves.
She arranges her books by women and men authors, giving women authors a special place.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Don't Judge Solely By Bookshelf
Avoid assuming a person's character based on a single book on their shelf.
People could have a book for many reasons, including critique or research.
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The novel is set in the 1980s and follows Nick Guest, a middle-class gay aesthete, as he becomes part of the glamorous world of the Fedden family. The story explores themes of beauty, politics, and the gay scene during the Thatcher era. Nick's life is intertwined with the rising fortunes of the Fedden family, and he engages in two contrasting love affairs. The novel delves into the materialism and greed of the decade, the bigotry of the conservative political class, and the impact of AIDS on the characters' lives. It is a richly textured, emotionally charged, and disarmingly comic portrayal of British life in the 1980s[1][4][5].
Consider Yourself Kissed
Jessica Stanley
Jessica Stanley’s 'Consider Yourself Kissed' opens with the beats of a classic romantic comedy – a meet-cute, a grand gesture, instant attraction. What follows is a book about the next bit, the day-to-day reality of just living. Stanley writes it with grace and wit and compassion, finding the romance in what comes next when two people decide to be together. This book explores the complexities of long-term relationships with humor and insight, focusing on the unglamorous aspects of daily life. It celebrates the endurance of love amidst the challenges of family, career, and personal growth. The story emphasizes the beauty and resilience found in ordinary moments, making it a relatable and engaging read.
American Wife
Curtis Sittenfeld
The novel tells the story of Alice Blackwell, a quiet and bookish woman from Wisconsin who marries Charlie Blackwell, a wealthy and charismatic member of a prominent Republican family. As Charlie becomes President, Alice is thrust into a life of power and influence, navigating the contradictions between her private beliefs and her public persona. The book delves into themes of class, wealth, and the complexities of marital relationships, drawing inspiration from real-life events but with significant fictional elements.
London-based Australian author Jessica Stanley’s second novel, Consider Yourself Kissed, opens with all the beats of a classic romantic comedy – a meet-cute, a grand gesture, instant attraction – but what follows is a book about the next bit, the day to day reality of just living. But Jessica writes it with grace and wit and compassion, finding the romance in what comes next when two people decide to be together. In this episode of Read This, Michael sits down with Jessica for a conversation about life, love, and the importance of what’s on your bookshelf.
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